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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)
Permissible without consent
Widened rail corridor between Quakers Hill and new Schofields stations — east of existing rail corridor
5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Council Purposes)
Permissible without consent
5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Drainage)
Permissible without consent
5(c) (Special uses — Local Road and Local Road Widening Zone)
Permissible without consent
5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Drainage)
Permissible without consent
6(a) (Special Uses — Public Recreation Zone)
Permissible without consent
Widened rail corridor between Quakers Hill and new Schofields stations — west of existing rail corridor
5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Commonwealth)
Permissible without consent
1(a) (General Rural Zone) Permissible without consent
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 40
Project area Land zoning Permissibility of the Project1
Widened rail corridor between new Schofields and Riverstone stations — east of existing rail corridor
5(c) (Special uses — Local Road and Local Road Widening Zone)
Permissible without consent
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)
Permissible without consent
1(a) (General Rural) Permissible without consent
5(c) (Special uses — Local Road and Local Road Widening Zone)
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)
Permissible without consent
5(c) (Special uses — Local Road and Local Road Widening Zone)
Permissible without consent
5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Drainage)
Permissible without consent
6(a) (Special Uses — Public Recreation Zone)
Permissible without consent
Utility corridor between Quakers Hill and new Schofields Station – west of the existing rail corridor
5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Commonwealth)
Permissible without consent
5(a) (Special Uses — General Zone) (Education)
Permissible without consent
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).
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 41
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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5 Hillside Medical Practice
6 Kerry Jones Childcare Centre
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Castlereagh StreetCastlereagh Street
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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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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 45
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.
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 46
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).
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 47
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.
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 48
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).)
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 49
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.
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 50
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
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PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF April 2009 Page 54
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.