Riverstone Town Centre future set for more homes and jobs

The rezoning will deliver an improved flood resilient neighbourhood focusing housing growth close to the train station, while the northern end of the precinct will retain its low-scale character.

The new controls will allow:

• building heights between 2 and 15 storeys.
• more employment land to support up to 1,200 jobs.
• a new town centre with retail, dining and shopping areas.
• upgraded public spaces and over 10 hectares of new or improved open space.
• improved walking and cycling connections.

Crucially this rezoning will be supported by improvements to flood evacuation routes with the NSW and Australian Governments together investing $276 million to upgrade Garfield Road East and $720 million to upgrade nearby Richmond Road.

New open space, enhanced stormwater management, flood mitigation measures and new laneways will also improve flood safety and evacuation routes.

The final controls were adjusted to reflect further technical studies and community feedback. Key changes include reducing building heights east of Piccadilly Street, improved flood planning, and an expanded open space network.

The proposed homes in the precinct have been reduced from 3,600 to 3,400, including 550 existing homes, to assist with flood evacuation capacity.

The final plan has been developed closely with the NSW State Emergency Services and NSW Reconstruction Authority to consider flood risk, with a final flood planning level set close to a 1 in 500 chance per year flood event.

For more information, visit the NSW Planning Portal.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

"This rezoning enables a pipeline of much needed new homes, jobs and an upgraded town centre for Riverstone, while mitigating flood risks.

"This is an important step forward for the Riverstone community which will boost flood resilience and enable the revitalisation of the town centre.

"I commend local MP Warren Kirby for his strong advocacy to achieve this great outcome for his community."

Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:

"This rezoning delivers the vision for Riverstone that our community has been calling for over many years.

"I promised at the election that delivering a workable plan for Riverstone was one of my highest priorities, helping to unlock more homes and jobs while improving flood resilience in the town centre.

"We know parts of Riverstone are flood prone, it's one of the major reasons previous plans were unviable, and these controls take that into consideration unlocking growth and the revitalisation of the town centre while keeping everyone safe.

"I'm proud of this new vision for Riverstone's future which incorporates the key elements our community have highlighted as their priorities with improved shopping and dining, more places for community connection and greenspace as well as improved walking and cycle paths.

"I thank everyone who made a contribution to help us finalise the plan, the wait is finally over."