City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown has urged the community to unite in opposition to a formal proposal by the State Government to rezone the vital 6.2ha of active open space at TG Millner Fields for a low-rise housing development.
The proposal – which seeks to amend the Ryde Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014 for 146-150 Vimiera Road, Marsfield, to facilitate the development of approximately 132 low-rise residential dwellings and a small public park on the site – has been placed on public exhibition by the NSW Planning Department.
It seeks to rezone the site from RE2 Private Recreation to part RE1 Public Recreation (Vimiera Road frontage) and part R2 Low Density Residential (remainder).
Mayor Brown said it was now "do or die" in the passionate eight-year community-led battle to save the land from the developers' bulldozers.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting of 24 March 2026, a save TG Millner petition with 1,140 responses was presented, with 1,137 of those signatories supporting the preservation of the three fields currently on the site. The petition was tabled in support of a Mayoral Minute reiterating Council's ongoing opposition to the proposed development.
"The proposed 132 dwellings will do little to alleviate the housing crisis that is gripping much of Sydney and the proposed public park included in the plans will do even less for the acute shortage of active open space faced by the City of Ryde community as our density and population continue to grow exponentially," Mayor Brown said.
"I am calling on all of those who care about the future of our City to submit an objection to this proposal on TG Millner Fields, or as the developer calls it - the Marsfield Common. We can't squander all that's great about Ryde as we tackle this once-in-a-generation housing boom".
Of particular concern is the fact the proponent chose not to share the details of their planning proposal with Council before it was placed on public exhibition.
"It is deeply concerning that the proponent, together with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), has proceeded to exhibit a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) without Council's endorsement," said Mayor Brown.
"Let me be clear - this document does not reflect Council's position and will not be adopted by Council."
Developer Winston Langley has put forward an offer to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Council, an offer that would see the City of Ryde community receive a significantly reduced park.
If no agreement is reached, the Planning Proposal may need to be revised to resolve the outstanding issues and ensure the community's interests are properly protected.
"Under the offer put forward by the developer it won't be them that carries the burden of maintaining this park into the future, instead it will fall squarely on the shoulders of Ryde's ratepayers," said Mayor Brown.
"The community will be left to fund the ongoing upkeep of a park that has already been reduced in size, while the developer walks away without any long-term responsibility."
Mayor Brown said it was time for the Federal and State Governments to step in and reward the City of Ryde for its invaluable contributions in helping to solve Sydney's housing crisis.
"I have been passionately advocating that the State and Federal Governments need to strike the right balance between the known need for more housing and ensuring essential infrastructure – especially active open spaces – remains available to the community," he said.
"The City of Ryde continues to outperform most other areas of Sydney when it comes to doing our bit to help the housing crisis. We are fulfilling our part of the deal – it's time for the State and Federal Governments to do the same and I once again call on them to provide the funds to enable us to purchase TG Millner for the Ryde community."
Submissions to the planning proposal must be lodged by 5.00pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026 and Mayor Brown urged all concerned residents to make their voices heard by visiting myryde.info/PlanningProposal.
"Once that precious active open space is gone, it is gone forever," he said.
