In November 2025, the NSW Government scrapped its carefully considered and adopted Cherrybrook Place Strategy in place of an alarming new high-rise, high-density rezoning proposal. Under the new proposal, the NSW Government put forward 9,320 new dwellings for the precinct around Cherrybrook Metro station. This is nearly triple the original number of dwellings that were proposed under the Place Strategy.
Council and residents shared a number of concerns with this proposal. Given the magnitude of the changes, Council formally requested that the Government extend the one-month public exhibition period for the rezoning proposal. Yet Council’s pleas fell on deaf ears.
If these plans go through as is, we could have people living in buildings up to 19 storeys in height on a steep slope. This is a real safety concern that the Government must take seriously.
The other main concern is the strain this high-density proposal would place on local infrastructure. Castle Hill Road is the main road for the precinct, and it’s already bumper-to-bumper in the morning and afternoon peaks. The original Place Strategy also identified the need for at least one additional primary school and one high school to support the projected 3,200 dwellings. If rezoning plans that triple these projections are to proceed, then the NSW Government must also identify additional school sites for the precinct.
It’s been five months since the consultation period closed. I understand that the post exhibition review of submissions takes time, but it’s essential the Government confirms that the concerns of residents and Council are being thoroughly assessed and that the proposal is being revised to reflect these concerns.
I will be writing to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully MP to request an update on the Government’s progress on the planning proposal post-exhibition. I will be asking the Minister to engage with Council and our residents on decisions that will have long-term consequences for everyone who calls Cherrybrook home. I hope to provide an update on the Government’s response soon.