Council welcomes rezoning for West Schofields & Marsden Park North

Blacktown City Council welcomes Minns Government's balanced rezoning approach for Marsden Park North and West Schofields in Sydney's North West Growth Area.

Statement from the Mayor of Blacktown City, Brad Bunting

Blacktown City welcomes the Minns Government's release of the Marsden Park North and West Schofields rezoning proposals. This is a significant step forward for two precincts that were on hold for many years due to flood evacuation risks that needed to be addressed.

Our community will benefit directly from the renewed focus on employment land, safer development footprints, improved transport access and the delivery of more green open space for local families. More local jobs will mean fewer residents needing to travel long distances for work, improving quality of life and supporting a stronger, more resilient local economy. Providing more opportunity for our rapidly growing city is essential to our commitment to help build better communities across Blacktown City.

Council responded to the halt to residential proposals in November 2023by commissioning expert advice from Atlas Economics on the potential for new employment lands as a replacement for the previously proposed residential uses. This report identified strong opportunities for local jobs and industrial employment in areas unsuitable for housing, and it is pleasing to see those directions reflected in the NSW Government's new proposals.

It is also important that clear attention has been given to environmental protection, including conserving important natural areas and supporting the revitalisation of our local creek corridors. Directing residential development away from flood-prone land is essential to ensuring future neighbourhoods are safer, more resilient and better prepared for extreme weather.

What we have now is a more balanced path forward for Marsden Park North and West Schofields, and I encourage residents and businesses to review the plans and have their say.