Menangle – the Birthplace of Australian Agriculture

THE landowner wanting to develop a 240ha business park along Moreton Park Rd in Menangle has called on the community to get involved in the process instead of flatly rejecting the proposal.

Landowner and business-man Ernest Dupere, of Menangle Pastoral, likened his proposal to the Norwest Business Park near Castle Hill or the new Macquarie Park in northern Sydney.

Mr Dupere said the development would include large areas for recreation and parks, provide much-needed local employment, and improve access to vast areas of the Nepean River.

But residents have again voiced their opposition, handing a poll to Wollondilly Council last month with 442 signatures.

“All we’re trying to do is undertake an investigation, and out of that comes some suggestions which would form the application,” Mr Dupere said.

“The outcome would be we would dedicate a large part of land for public recreation. If we plan it properly we can enhance the amenity of the area. The inter-modal rail track is not planned as part of this project. It’s more a technological/research business park. We’ve invited the community to comment and we’re trying to work with them.”

He said a small group of residents had a general “philosophical objection to change” in Menangle rather than an informed opinion.

Proposed land uses include offices, light industry, warehousing and logistics and wholesale/trade retail.

Wollondilly Mayor Col Mitchell said 70 per cent of residents travel outside the shire for work daily.

“For 12 years I’ve been trying to get employment-generating land in Wollondilly,” he said. “We’ll listen to the people on this. I would be opposed to residential but not to industrial (development).”

April 24, 2010

Wollondilly Shire Council,

PO Box 21,

Picton. NSW 2571.

ATTENTION: Mr. Martin Cooper – STRATEGIC PLANNING

Dear Sir,

Ref: TRIM 5645, MORETON PARK ROAD INDUSTRIAL PROPOSAL.

Please find attached the poll sheets from the recent poll, seeking resident’s opinions about the rezoning proposal on Moreton Park Road, Menangle.

Poll Description

1. All homes on the following streets were delivered Council’s letter and an attached poll sheet, copy enclosed:

   Moreton Park Road, Prices Road, Station Street, Riversford Close, Haines Place, St James Av., Woodbridge Road, Finns Road, Dawson’s Road, Carols Road, Hawkey Road, Quirks Lane, Cummins Road, and Menangle Road from the Nepean River to the end of Spaniards Hill number 655. Houses owned by the proponents or their family were not approached.

2. The poll sheets were then collected by the pollsters as per the attached instructions and crewing over the following week.
3. The results were analysed by Maurice Blackwood and checked by Nonie Betts.

Poll Results.

1. 239 homes responded.
2. 466 people responded.
3. 442 are against the rezoning, 9 support it and 15 declined an opinion.
4. Comments included: maintain protest against the rezoning; “Rural Living only”; inappropriate rezoning; protect the river; green space; keep Rural Residential; protect the historic rural area, and offensive proposal.

The Menangle Community Association and the Menangle Action Group commend these results to Council and its Staff for consideration and both groups would like to address Council at the time this rezoning application is discussed.

Yours faithfully,

Maurice Blackwood                                             
Menangle Community Assoc.                                                    

Kate Terry
Menangle Action Group.