Blair Athol residents fear that if land west of their suburb is rezoned for a high-tech business park it would shatter their quiet and peaceful amenity.
The proposal relates to the site known as Maryfields, located at the intersection of Narellan Road and the Hume Motorway and currently used for religious activities by the Franciscan Friars and Poor Clare Nuns.
Three submissions, including one petition with 98 signatures, were received from residents when Campbelltown Council placed the Maryfields plan on public exhibition.
According to the plan, only buses will be allowed to travel between Blair Athol and Maryfields.
It seems the residents are not convinced that will be the case.
The concerns raised by the residents all related to potential traffic impacts on the existing road network of Blair Athol.
Residents are asking council to ensure all vehicular access to the proposed business park be from Narellan Road only.
They said current road infrastructure in Blair Athol was not designed for this sort of development and were also concerned with the extra noise that would be generated by higher traffic volumes.
But despite their concerns, the proposal is almost certain to be approved when it goes to council at its next meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, November 28.
A report to council recommends approval.
If councillors agree when it’s put to the vote and the rezoning of 110 acres goes ahead, it would pave the way for an employment game changer in the region.
The plan forecasts the medical/health precinct containing state of the art buildings would create up to 1,200 knowledge based jobs, a first for Campbelltown and Macarthur.
It could be the first step in developing a substantial hub of high paying, high-tech jobs right in the heart of the Macarthur region.
The precinct would be within easy reach of the private and public hospitals as well as the Western Sydney University medical school, located in its Campbelltown campus across the road from the Maryfields site.
Plans includes 500 units of medium density for seniors living, plus an aged care facility with 100 beds, which would also create up to 40 jobs.
The plan includes 93 sites for private residential housing with a minimum size of 500 square metres and a small neighbourhood shopping centre.
The Franciscan Friars and Poor Clare Nuns would keep some of the land to continue operating on the site.
Council meetings are held on the third floor of the Queen Street administration building and start at 6.30pm.
Is an industrial park really needed in this place? It’s such a pretty little green area, why not leave it as it is?