Since 1993, Baulkham Hills Shire has released 5,000 new home lots. A further 9,000 lots will be released by 2004. Coping with a growth rate of around 4% per annum places a great strain on Council.
“This is not only through the provision of necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of our rapidly expanding community, but also ensuring quality is maintained,” said Mayor Brooke-Cowden.
Covering an area of 380 square kilometres, stretching from North Parramatta to Wisemans Ferry on the Hawkesbury River, the Shire’s population of 130,000 is expected to reach 176,000 during the next decade.
“To date, only Stage One of the Rouse Hill Development has been released,” the Mayor said. “With land rapidly running out in the Sydney basin, it is likely that we will soon move to Stage Two.”
He said this will present a huge planning challenge in terms of delivering sustainable development. This is particularly the case in regard to protecting the Hawkesbury River environs that stretch 19 kilometres along the northern boundary of the Shire.
Baulkham Hills is one of the largest urban Shires in Australia. Known as the Garden Shire, people choose to live in this area because of its pristine environment and the quality lifestyle it offers.
Council and the community work closely together to maintain and protect the area and all its attributes.
Council integrated planning processes, and extensive consultation with all stakeholders, ensure that a holistic approach is taken to protect and enhance the Garden Shire for current and future generations.
