3. Existing and future environment

Quakers Hill to Vineyard Duplication Environmental Assessment

PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 39

3. Existing and future environment

3.1 Land use and property

This Section describes the existing land use patterns and key land use features within

approximately 500 metres either side of the existing Quakers Hill to Vineyard Duplication rail

corridor based on a review of aerial photography, relevant planning documents, background

studies and a ‘ground-truthing’ survey undertaken on 9 April 2008. A summary of the likely

changes in land use patterns expected around the rail corridor is also provided (refer

Section 3.1.3). A review was undertaken of planning documentation for the North West

Growth Centre (NWGC), including the Growth Centres Commission’s (GCC) The Scheme —

Sydney Region Growth Centres (GCC 2006) and the NSW Government’s Metropolitan

Strategy, City of Cities — A Plan for Sydney’s Future (NSW Government 2005a). Land use

and property impacts associated with the Project are discussed in Section 8.1.

3.1.1 Current land zoning

The Blacktown Local Environment Plan 1988 (Blacktown LEP) describes the land zoning

within the majority of the Project area, with the exception of the site of the existing Vineyard

Substation, which is within the Hawkesbury local government area (LGA). Land zoning has

been discussed in Section 2.3.1. Table 3-1 summarises the land zoning as it relates to

specific areas of the Project.

It is recognised that the area in the vicinity of the Project will be subject to extensive rezoning

as part of the NWGC; an overview of the planned future development within the NWGC is

provided in Section 3.1.3.

Table 3-1 Land zoning of the Project area

Project area Land zoning Permissibility of the Project1

Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 1988

Existing rail corridor 5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Rail)

Permissible without consent

New Schofields and Vineyard stations

1(a) (General Rural Zone) Permissible without consent

5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Rail)


Widened rail corridor between Quakers Hill and new Schofields stations — east of existing rail corridor

5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Council Purposes)


5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Drainage)


5(c) (Special uses — Local Road and Local Road Widening Zone)




6(a) (Special Uses — Public Recreation Zone)


Widened rail corridor between Quakers Hill and new Schofields stations — west of existing rail corridor

5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Commonwealth)


1(a) (General Rural Zone) Permissible without consent



Project area Land zoning Permissibility of the Project1

Widened rail corridor between new Schofields and Riverstone stations — east of existing rail corridor



Widened rail corridor between Riverstone and new Vineyard Stations — west of existing rail corridor

4(a) (General Industrial Zone) Permissible without consent

1(a) (General Rural) Permissible without consent

New Schofields Substation 1(a) (General Rural) Permissible without consent

Schofields car park 5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Rail)


1(a) (General Rural) Permissible without consent



Vineyard car park 1(a) (General Rural) Permissible without consent

Quakers Hill pedestrian footbridge

3(a) (General Business Zone) Permissible without consent

Schofields pedestrian footbridge

2(a) (Residential A Zone) Permissible without consent

Utility corridor between Quakers Hill and new Schofields Station — east of the existing rail corridor

5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Council Purposes)






6(a) (Special Uses — Public Recreation Zone)


Utility corridor between Quakers Hill and new Schofields Station – west of the existing rail corridor

5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Commonwealth)


5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Education)


Hawkesbury Local Environmental Plan 1989

Existing Vineyard Substation Rural — Mixed Agriculture Permissible without consent

Note: 1: Clause 79(1) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (Infrastructure SEPP) provides that development for the purpose of a railway or rail infrastructure facilities may be carried out by or on behalf of a public authority without consent on any land

3.1.2 Existing land use and property

The Project would be constructed within, and adjacent to, the existing rail corridor (refer

Figure 6-1). Land within the rail corridor is already being used as an operating railway and is

owned by RailCorp (refer Figure 3-1). Land adjacent to the existing rail corridor, on which

the new stations, car parks, Schofields Substation and widened rail corridor would be

constructed, is currently owned by a variety of public and private land owners.

Three roads currently cross the existing rail corridor in the vicinity of the proposed Project

works — Westminster Street (a local road controlled by Blacktown City Council), Garfield

Road (a state road controlled by the RTA) and Bandon Road (a regional road controlled by

Blacktown City Council). Two key access roads run parallel with the eastern side of the

existing rail corridor in the vicinity of the Project works — Railway Terrace (between Garfield

Road East and Burdekin Road) and Riverstone Parade (which connects Bandon Road to

Garfield Road East).



Land use adjacent to the rail corridor between Quakers Hill and Vineyard comprises a mix of

low to medium density residential development, industrial and commercial development,

agriculture, other open space and special use areas. The alignment passes through the

existing centres at Riverstone and Schofields. Existing land use patterns and key land use

features in the vicinity of the Project are shown in Figure 3-1 and described below.

Quakers Hill Station

Land use surrounding Quakers Hill Station is typical of a suburban town centre and

comprises a mix of commercial, residential, open space and special uses (refer Figure 3-1).

Local shops and facilities are clustered around the station on both sides of the rail corridor,

while residential areas dominate the surrounding area. The residential area is interspersed

with areas of open space and special land uses (e.g. educational and childcare facilities).

Key land use features in proximity to Quakers Hill Station include:

Quakers Hill Preschool

Quakers Hill Kindergarten and Childcare Centre

Quakers Inn

Hill Side Medical Practice

Kerry Jones Child Care Centre

Quakers Hill Police Station

Quakers Hill Community Hall.

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2 Terra Sancta College

3 Quakers Inn

4 Quakers Hill Kindergarten and Childcare Centre

5 Hillside Medical Practice

6 Kerry Jones Childcare Centre

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9 Police Station

10 Quakers Hill Veterinary Hospital

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Figure 3-1c Existing land use

29 Vineyard Children’s Early Learning Centre

30 Tadpoles Swim School

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Railway corridor between Quakers Hill and Schofields stations

Land use on either side of the existing rail corridor between Quakers Hill and Schofields

stations comprises a mix of residential, rural, open space, Commonwealth land and special

use areas (refer Figure 3-1). Land use on the eastern side of the railway corridor is

dominated by rural and residential areas, while land use on the western side of the railway

corridor is dominated by rural land, the HMAS Nirimba/Former Schofields Aerodrome and

special uses. Key land use features in proximity to the rail corridor between Quakers Hill and

Schofields stations include:

the Nirimba Education precinct (including the University of Western Sydney Blacktown

Campus, Terra Sancta College and Wyndham College)

HMAS Nirimba/Former Schofields Aerodrome

residential properties, approximately 70 of which are located directly adjacent to the rail

corridor

a rural property

Quakers Hill Veterinary Hospital.

Schofields Station

Land use surrounding Schofields Station comprises a mix of commercial, residential, open

space and special use areas (refer Figure 3-1). Eight shops are located on the eastern side

of the rail corridor (refer Figure 3-14), while residential development dominates the

remainder of Schofields village. Key land use features in proximity to Schofields Station

include:

St Josephs Catholic Church

a doctors surgery

a community centre

a Rural Fire Service Station

various commercial (predominantly retail) premises detailed in Section 3.3.5.

Rail corridor between Schofields and Riverstone stations

Land use on either side of the rail corridor between Schofields and Riverstone stations

comprises a mix of rural, residential, open space and special use areas (refer Figure 3-1).

The western side of the rail corridor is dominated by rural land, while the eastern side of the

rail corridor is dominated by residential and rural land. Key land use features in proximity to

the rail corridor between Schofields and Riverstone stations include:

St Pauls Anglican Church

Riverstone Scout Hall

Riverstone Girl Guides Hall

Riverstone Police Station.



Riverstone Station

Land use surrounding Riverstone Station comprises a mix of commercial, rural, open space

and residential areas (refer Figure 3-1). Local shops and facilities are clustered around the

eastern side of the rail corridor, while rural land dominates the western side of the corridor.

The closest residential area to Riverstone Station is approximately 60 metres to the south.

Key land use features in proximity to Riverstone Station include:

Riverstone Park

St Andrews Uniting Church

D.W. Dixon Medical Centre

Riverstone Veterinary Hospital

the Sportsmans Hotel

the Riverstone Library

a community centre and senior centre

Riverstone Childcare Centre

the Remembrance Club.

Railway corridor between Riverstone and Vineyard stations

Land use on either side of the rail corridor between Riverstone and Vineyard stations

comprises a mix of rural, industrial, residential, open space and special uses (refer

Figure 3-1). Industrial areas are located on the western side of the rail corridor between

Church Street and Victoria Street (the Meatworks industrial area), and on the eastern side of

the corridor between Hobart Street and Victoria Street. Key land use features in proximity to

the rail corridor in this area include:

Riverstone Bowls Club

Riverstone Fire Station.

Vineyard Station

Land use surrounding Vineyard Station is dominated by rural areas and bushland, with

scattered rural-residential properties (refer Figure 3-1). A special land use area, comprising

the Sydney Water Corporation Riverstone Sewage Treatment Plant, is located on the

western side of the railway corridor, approximately 250 metres from the station. A Transgrid

substation is also located on the western side of the railway corridor, approximately

900 metres from the station and adjacent to the western boundary of the sewage treatment

plant.

There are no local shops or facilities in proximity to the station. A small number of residential

properties are located in the area at least 100 metres from the rail corridor. Key land use

features in the area include:

Vineyard Children’s Early Learning Centre

Tadpole Swim School

Windsor Country Village (retirement village).



3.1.3 Future land use changes

Land use in the Project area is expected to change significantly in the future as a result of

the NSW Government’s land release plan for the NWGC (refer Section 2.5.4). It is estimated

that a total of approximately 70,000 new homes will be provided within the NWGC, along

with new infrastructure, town centres and areas of commercial development. The planned

population growth as part of the development of the NWGC is likely to result in an increased

demand for rail services on the Richmond Branch Line.

Figure 2-4 provides an indication of the likely residential, commercial and town centre

developments within the NWGC.

The Project is located in the centre of the NWGC, and directly borders the planned precincts

of Schofields, Schofields West, Alex Avenue, Riverstone, Riverstone West and Vineyard

(refer Figure 2-2). The precincts of Alex Avenue, Riverstone, and Riverstone West were

released in 2006. Planning for the future development of these areas is currently underway.

Draft precinct plans for Riverstone and Alex Avenue were placed on public exhibition

between November 2008 and 6 February 2009 (GCC 2008a, 2008c), while plans for

Riverstone West were placed on public exhibition between March and 15 April 2009

(GCC 2009a). Significant land use change is expected within these areas over the next

25-30 years.

The new Schofields and Vineyard stations (including car parks and bus interchanges),

widened rail corridor, Schofields Substation and associated facilities would be located on

land outside the existing rail corridor. Land required for these aspects of the Project would

be within the Schofields, Riverstone and Riverstone West precincts of the NWGC.

Expected future land use

As the precincts are at various planning stages, it is difficult to determine the exact nature

and distribution of future land uses. As such, preliminary assumptions on the future land use

changes have been presented for the purposes of this assessment.

The following provides a summary of the land use changes expected as part of the

redevelopment of the NWGC within the precincts that have already been released

(Alex Avenue, Riverstone and Riverstone West), based on draft precinct plans (GCC 2008a,

2008c, 2009a).

Alex Avenue

The Alex Avenue precinct is located adjacent to the eastern side of the rail corridor between

Schofields Road and just south of Burdekin Road (refer Figure 2-2). The development of the

precinct is expected to provide for approximately 6,100 homes over the next 15 years,

accommodating up to 17,700 residents (GCC 2008a). The draft plan for the Alex Avenue

precinct (Alex Avenue Precinct Planning Report, GCC 2008a) was placed on public

exhibition between November 2008 and February 2009. Planning for the precinct has been

centred on the provision of the new Schofields Station, which would be located adjacent to

the north-western section of the precinct (GCC 2008a). The draft indicative layout plan for

Alex Avenue is shown in Figure 3-2.



The precinct plan has provided for a town centre on the western side of the precinct, which

would be located in the vicinity of the new Schofields Station (refer Figures 3-2 and 2-4).

This town centre would be connected to the rest of the precinct via a network of roads and

open space that would aim to provide a direct link to the town centre for pedestrians,

cyclists, cars and buses. A smaller neighbourhood centre has also been planned for

Alex Avenue and would be located towards the eastern side of the precinct. This smaller

centre would provide Alex Avenue residents with local retail and community services (refer

Figure 3-2).

Higher density development would be concentrated within the western section of the

precinct. This high density residential area would be provided with direct access to the new

Schofields Station (GCC 2008a). The new Schofields Station would form a key element of

the transportation network servicing the Alex Avenue precinct. The establishment of a town

centre adjacent to the new Schofields Station aims to provide Alex Avenue residents with

direct access to commuter rail services.

Schofields Road, which borders the northern extent of the precinct, is proposed to be

upgraded to a four-lane arterial road. This road would provide a link between Windsor and

Richmond roads, and is expected to provide an important regional road link between the

eastern and western sides of the NWGC.

The planning process for the Alex Avenue precinct is being coordinated in conjunction with

the planning for the Riverstone precinct, which is located north of Schofields Road. Following

exhibition of the draft precinct plans (GCC 2008a, 2008c), it is intended that this will lead to

the rezoning of the precincts.

Construction of the first lots within the Alex Avenue precinct could commence in 2010, with

infrastructure works expected to be the first development to take place. Development of the

Alex Avenue precinct could take up to 15 years to be completed. The timing of

the development of the precincts is likely to depend on a number of factors, including the

provision of water and sewer, road building and market interest in the land.

Riverstone

The Riverstone precinct is located adjacent to the eastern side of the rail corridor between

Schofields Road and Bandon Road (refer Figure 2-2). The precinct is expected to provide for

approximately 8,900 homes over the next 15 years, accommodating up to 24,000 new

people.

The draft plan for the Riverstone precinct (Riverstone Precinct Planning Report, GCC 2008c)

was placed on public exhibition between November 2008 and February 2009. The draft

indicative layout plan for Riverstone is shown in Figure 3-3.

The main features of the plan for the Riverstone precinct comprise:

a new neighbourhood centre at the existing Schofields village, which would provide

Riverstone precinct residents with local retail and community services (GCC 2008c)

the concentration of high density development within the western section of the precinct

the expansion of the existing Riverstone industrial area by approximately 14 hectares to

the north

a new neighbourhood centre at Vineyard, which would be located adjacent to the

existing Vineyard Station. (The area surrounding this centre has been planned to

comprise a medium density residential area due to the proposed relocation of Vineyard

Station as part of the Quakers Hill to Vineyard Duplication (GCC 2008c).)



The existing Riverstone Town Centre and surrounding urban area has not been included in

the Riverstone precinct plan. Planning of this area would be undertaken at a later date once

the detailed planning for the proposed Garfield Road overpass (replacing the Garfield Road

level-crossing) has been completed (GCC 2008c).The Riverstone Town Centre is expected

to continue to function as the main town centre for Riverstone precinct.

Areas within the Riverstone precinct would be interconnected by a network of parks and

open space that would be provided with pedestrian and cycle paths. The precinct plan

includes consideration of strong linkages across obstacles such as the rail corridor for

pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists (GCC 2008c).

The precinct layout plan for Riverstone has considered the proposed Quakers Hill to

Vineyard Duplication project, including the relocation of both Schofields and Vineyard

stations. The area around Riverstone Station is exempted from the current precinct plan but

it is likely that the adjacent town centre would be connected to the surrounding area through

a network of pedestrian and cycle paths. Paths located within road reserves would be

constructed by developers and dedicated to Council through conditions of development

consent (GCC 2008c). Paths within land zoned for open space will be funded through

Section 94 Contributions (GCC 2008c).

As mentioned above, the planning process for the Riverstone precinct is being coordinated

with the Alex Avenue precinct. Construction of the first lots within the Riverstone precinct

could commence in 2010 and could take up to 15 years to be completed.

Riverstone West

The Riverstone West precinct is located adjacent to the western side of the rail corridor

between Riverstone Station and Vineyard Station (refer Figure 2-2). The precinct will

comprise a mix of industrial/employment land and environmental corridor/recreational areas

(GCC 2009a). Part of the area covered by this precinct is known locally as the former

Riverstone Meatworks site. The draft plan for the Riverstone West precinct (Riverstone West

Precinct Planning Report, GCC 2009a) was placed on public exhibition between March and

mid April 2009. The draft indicative layout plan for Riverstone West is shown in Figure 3-4.

The main features of the plan for the Riverstone West precinct will comprise:

a business park consisting of high-density commercial development (250,000 square

metres of commercial space), located adjacent to Riverstone Station and the Riverstone

Town Centre

16 hectares of light industrial land, generally located adjacent to the relocated Vineyard

Station

170 hectares of general industrial land, generally located along the eastern side of the

precinct

80 hectares of land for conservation purposes, generally located along the western side

of the precinct.

Areas within the Riverstone West precinct would be interconnected by a network of shared

user paths, and the provision of walkable block sizes within business areas of the precinct.

Accessibility of rail services on the Richmond Branch Line would be supported via a primary

bus route and pedestrian friendly streets. The viability of the proposed business park would

be enhanced through its location adjacent to Riverstone Station.



The potential opportunity for an intermodal facility, as indicated on the Riverstone West Draft

Indicative Layout Plan, is not part of this Project. Further discussions will be held with GCC

and RailCorp should the opportunity for an intermodal facility be pursued by the land owner.

In the event that the Intermodal facility is pursued it would be the subject of a separate

Environmental Assessment and approval process.

The precinct layout plan for Riverstone West has been developed around the existing rail

line, and the following components of the proposed Quakers Hill to Vineyard Duplication

project (forming part of the Stage 2 works):

the relocation of Vineyard Station south of its current location and the provision of three

platforms

the provision of commuter car parking on the eastern side of the rail corridor, and

outside of the Riverstone West precinct

the provision of a publically accessible pedestrian bridge at Riverstone that provides

access to Riverstone Station and the Riverstone Town Centre from the Riverstone West

precinct (GCC 2009a).

The Richmond Branch Line will form a key element of the transportation network servicing

the Riverstone West precinct. The delivery of the Quakers Hill to Vineyard Duplication

Project (Stage 2) would result in an increase in rail services within the vicinity of the

Riverstone West precinct, which is expected to encourage the use of public transport by the

Riverstone West workforce (GCC 2009a).

Figure 3-2 Draft indicative layout plan for Alex Avenue

Precinct boundary

Land to which Precinct Plan applies

Local centre

Preferred location for neighbourhood shops

Mixed use

Medium to high density residential

Low density residential

Environmental protection

Parks

Sporting fields

Drainage

Riparian corridor

Medium density residential

Potential Archaeological Deposit

Major road

Local road

Creek

School

Figure 3-3 Draft indicative layout plan for Riverstone

Precinct boundary

Land to which Precinct Plan applies

Local centre

Preferred location for neighbourhood shops

Conservation areas

Light industrial (existing)

Low density residential

Sewage treatment plant odour zone

ParksSporting fields

Drainage

Riparian corridor

Medium density residential

Asset protection zone

Major road

Local roadCreek

School

Existing Schofields residential area

Light industrial (proposed extension)

Transmission easement

Figure 3-4 Draft indicative layout plan for Riverstone West



Community involvement

In October 2007, the GCC mailed out a ‘Have Your Say’ survey to land owners and

occupiers in the Riverstone and Alex Avenue precincts. Several hundred land owners and

occupiers provided feedback. Early results from the surveys identified the following issues

as important in planning for the area:

access to transport

vibrant centres providing all services

types of housing

parks and open spaces

availability of locally-based jobs.

The results also indicated that many residents and land owners agree that housing

development is necessary for the area, as are improvements to public transport and roads

(GCC 2008b).

The Project is an essential component of the development of the NWGC in providing

efficient and reliable public transport for the expected increase in population associated with

the planned development.

3.2 Traffic and transport

A traffic and transport assessment was undertaken for the Project and is included in

Technical Paper 1 – Traffic and transport in Volume 2 of this report. This section provides an

overview of the existing traffic and transport conditions within the Project area.

The outcomes of the impact assessment and proposed mitigation measures are

summarised in Section 8.2.

3.2.1 Assessment approach

A review of the existing public transport and road network conditions along the rail corridor,

between Quakers Hill and Vineyard, was undertaken. The existing transport services,

facilities and road network were determined through a combination of reviews of previous

reports, site visits, commuter parking surveys and traffic counts. Traffic surveys were

conducted on Friday 19 October 2007 during the morning (7 am–9 am) and afternoon

(4 pm-6 pm) peak periods to establish current demand at:

Railway Terrace, Bridge Street and Westminster Street in Schofields

Garfield Road East and Railway Terrace in Riverstone town centre

Garfield Road East and Riverstone Parade in Riverstone town centre.

The intersections above were selected on the basis that they are likely to be the most

affected upon opening of the duplication and during the general construction phase including

the planned temporary closure of the Westminster Street overbridge.

Intersection performance was analysed using the traffic capacity software package SIDRA.

Documents

3. Existing and future environment