Building Appin’s Future Together
Walker Corporation has listened to Appin residents and Wollondilly Shire Council feedback and amended its Macquariedale Road Appin Planning Proposal in response.
Community Concerns
- Walker Corporation should restore Appin Inn
- No small lots
- More certainty around what is going to happen
- Hands off Gordon Lewis Oval
- Don’t destroy the environment
- Give us better infrastructure
We have listened to the community - Revised Proposal
- Restore the Appin Inn separate from the planning proposal - $1,200,000
- Larger lots and less lots – minimum of 70% of lots < 700m²at is going to happen
- Community Chest grants program - $2,500,000
The delivery of the revised proposal demonstrates Walker Corporation’s long-term commitment to the Appin area in partnership with Council and the community, along with its desire to deliver significant community benefits.
VPA Changes at a Glance
| Existing VPA | Proposed VPA |
|---|---|
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Further details on each element of the amended proposal are below. Please click on the area of interest in the table above to be taken to the relevant information.
Restoration of Appin Inn
The restoration is no longer associated with the Macquariedale Road planning proposal and will be wholly funded by Walker Corporation.
Walker Corporation has committed to restore Appin Inn at an estimated cost of $1,200,000.
This restoration project will commence with the archaeologists investigation on 4th October. Visit the Appin Inn restoration website for full details.
Learn more about the Appin Inn restoration here.
Larger Blocks, Less Blocks – Reviewing the Residential Mix
In keeping with the desire to maintain the Shire’s rural character and promote diversity of housing, the amended proposal has increased the minimum lot size in R2 residential land to reflect the same outcome achieved at Appin Valley. Namely 70% of all lots to be 700m² or greater and a maximum 30% of lots to be between 450m² and 699m².
By offering larger blocks as a main part of the residential mix, the overall number of blocks will be reduced by 40 blocks.
In addition, to maintain the rural street appeal of Macquariedale Road, the amended proposal restricts a maximum of 25 dwellings fronting Macquariedale Road.
Road Safety
Walker Corporation proposes to spend $2,500,000 on works to upgrade intersections onto Appin Road between Church Street and Market Street with the aim to improve intersection performance, pedestrian safety and traffic speeds through the village along Appin Road.
As part of the revision of the residential mix, Walker has limited the residential traffic on Macquariedale Road. This amended design removes the major intersection from Macquariedale Road and reduces the number of new lots accessing the road.
Streetscaping
Walker Corporation will undertake landscaping works to the main street which aims to reduce speeds through Appin and potentially reduce the attractiveness of Appin Road as a thru route for heavy vehicles.
Funds to landscape Appin Road and Macquariedale Road and upgrade powerlines have been included in the amended VPA to the total of $2,150,000.
These upgrades may include:
- Pedestrian and traffic control barriers to be upgraded
- Proposed pedestrian crossing in the centre of the shopping strip
- Feature street tree planting with low verge shrub planting
- Marking the entry to Macquariedale Road
- Shared pedestrian and cycleway
- Underground overhead wires to allow more tree planting
- Replace all existing bench seating and litter bins
- Shared concrete path from town centre to existing Appin Valley path and from Macquariedale Road through to Appin Inn
- Upgrade existing concrete paving.
Community Chest
Walker Corporation pledge up to $2,500,000 Community Chest Program to support local community groups and address local community programs such as employment, social needs, capex for existing or new public amenities in Appin.
All expenditure from the Community Chest Program would be concentrated in Appin.
Walker Corporation currently supports and sponsors a range of local groups, including Appin Dogs Rugby League Football Club – seniors and juniors and the upcoming IlluminARTe festival, and has recently funded the construction of new wet weather awnings at Appin Public School.
Green Fund and Environment Impact
Walker Corporation will provide up to $500,000 for a Green Fund to support community led environmental projects including animal crossings, revegetation projects and community garden projects.
Walker Corporation is also committed to dedicating 54 hectares to conservation under the Bio-Certification agreement and providing a significant wildlife corridor along Ousedale Creek.
Walker Corporation undertakes to maintain the land to ensure it is preserved in perpetuity at a likely spend of between $1,500,000 - $2,000,000. This is legally enforceable through covenants on title and binding agreements with government.
Protection of Gordon Lewis Oval
Gordon Lewis Oval is a significant amenity that contributes to the quality of life and the environment within the Shire. The amended proposal removes the bypass (special use) zoning and transfers approximately 800m² from Walker Corporation land to the oval increasing the land available at Gordon Lewis Oval.
This, coupled with the proposed $1,200,000 upgrades of the facilities around the oval will see Gordon Lewis Oval protected for future generations.
Proposed upgrades of Gordon Lewis Oval may include:
- New park playground for children of all ages
- Install new BBQ facilities
- Provide a shared cycle and pedestrian footpath around the park linking the dog park to the oval and playground facilities
- Upgrade netball court surface
- Council depot yard to be designed into an off leash dog park
- Dog park to have secure fencing to the perimeter
- Picnic facilities, tables, bench seats, litter bins
- Foot bridge and timber boardwalk to link the sports oval and dog park as an accessible route through the existing bushland and over the creek.
Town Centre Improvements
Walker Corporation retain our commitment to enhance amenity, upgrading Gordon Lewis Oval, Macquariedale Road and the shopping centre, plus provide $700,000 towards new cycle paths.
