The proposed Parkwood development on the NSW side of the border, from the masterplan. Image: Supplied.
The first development applications for the proposed cross-border suburb of Parkwood are expected in the next few months after the NSW Government fast-tracked rezoning approval as part of its COVID-19 stimulus measures.
Parkwood is the NSW component of Riverview Developments’ proposed Ginninderry cross-border development being delivered in conjunction with the ACT Government. The project will eventually comprise 5000 dwellings and house 13,000 residents.
The $1.89 billion project, which will roll out over the next 25 to 30 years, will cover almost 600 hectares, more than 380 ha of which will be housing developments. A further 213 ha will be protected as conservation lands.
This will include a 1 ha Special Activities Zone to the Ginninderra Falls Precinct near Ginninderra Falls that allows for recreation areas, tourism, community buildings and emergency facilities.
Yass Valley Shire Council had sought the rezoning after backing the proposal last October.
The ACT Government would have preferred to move the border so the entire Ginniderry/Parkwood area was contained in the ACT, given that it would be servicing its residents. Instead, the NSW and ACT Governments and the Council have signed a ‘Parkwood Protocol’ agreement that will ensure the borderless community is supported by the necessary services and infrastructure into the future.
ACT Housing Minister Yvette Berry said the approval to rezone Parkwood was a great outcome for this development and future community.
“The cross-border nature of the Ginninderry project, and the detailed planning to date, is a strong reinforcement of the way in which local, Territory and State governments have collaborated in the interests of building positive outcomes for a strong regional economy,” she said.
“This milestone provides certainty for the long-term plans for Ginninderry. Importantly, this development will continue to boost jobs, construction activity and economic development.”
The next step would be to prepare an estate development plan and development applications, Ms Berry said.
Yass Valley Council Mayor Rowena Abbey said the rezoning was an enormous boost for not just the local government area, but the entire Southern Tablelands and Canberra region.
“I applaud the NSW and ACT Governments for their extensive collaboration with each other and us to get to this point,” Cr Abbey said.
“They have ensured people will enjoy great access to services and governance arrangements on both sides of the border while also enjoying our beautiful environment.”
The first development applications for the release are expected to be submitted in the next couple of months and preliminary works such as road upgrades and sealing are expected to commence in early 2021.
Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the decision would bring a huge employment boost to the region, creating more than 3800 local jobs during the construction phase alone.
“During the pandemic, people have realised the perks a regional lifestyle can provide, and projects like the Parkwood Urban Release make a tree-change possible,” Mr Barilaro said.
The Parkwood Urban Release development is one of 19 projects included in Tranche 3 of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program that is fast-tracking planning assessments to keep people in jobs and the economy moving during the COVID-19 crisis.
Ginninderry in the ACT is being developed and the first suburb, Strathnairn, is set to have about 1500 dwellings with a mix of larger blocks for families and compact, easy to maintain blocks and dwellings for those wanting a smaller scale lifestyle.
All up, Ginninderry will have about 6500 homes. Ms Berry officially opened the 16-site Ginninderry Display Village last October.
The development boasts high environmental values and sustainable housing standards.
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