Council listens to Middleton Grange residents at community forum

18 September 2018

More than 600 residents attended Council’s Middleton Grange Community Forum at Thomas Hassall Anglican College on Monday, 17 September.

The forum was held to encourage community feedback on a proposal for a town centre at Middleton Grange, as well as infrastructure upgrades, illegal dumping and other local issues.

Liverpool City Council CEO Kiersten Fishburn said Council was aware of the strong community desire for a town centre and has been working with the owners of the land, Manta Group, to try to find a viable option for the whole community.

“Council received a proposal from the developer which includes a large shopping centre and more than 900 residential apartments,” Ms Fishburn said.

“Not everyone was in favour of the proposal – many residents would prefer the town centre to be smaller, but ultimately this decision will lie with the NSW Minister for Planning.

“We’re determined to address the issues you raised which are Council’s responsibility – and to continue to lobby NSW Government agencies on those concerns that are not in Council’s control.

“This was a great opportunity to hear feedback from residents; we came to listen – and we heard your passion for your community.

“We will come back to residents within weeks outlining how we will respond and commit to holding a second Community Forum early next year.

“Initial responses indicate the community is worried about the scale of development proposed for the town centre. Council officers will prepare a report on all responses, including from State agencies, which will be considered at a full Council meeting early next year. The final decision rests with the NSW Planning Minister.

“Council also clearly heard the community’s message on infrastructure and will report back in coming weeks with a plan on how it can better support Middleton Grange residents.”

Ms Fishburn addressed the audience at the forum and said Council had identified more than $60m worth of works to support the growth of Middleton Grange.

“By early 2020, Cirillo Reserve will have two new sports fields, a cricket pitch, amenities building, spectator seating, off-leash dog park, children’s play space and an outdoor gym.

“And by June 2020 Stante Reserve will have a children’s play space, half-court basketball, futsal court and seating.”

She also said that Council is working with the State Government to make major upgrades to several key roads and to improve traffic management in the area. The upgrades include the widening of Fifteenth Avenue; the extension of Middleton Drive under the M7 Motorway to Aviation Road; and the upgrade of Flynn Avenue from Cowpasture Road to Ulm Road.

The proposal for the Middleton Grange Town Centre is part of the Draft Liverpool Local Environmental Plan 2008 (Amendment 63), which is on public exhibition until 26 October 2018. Residents can have their say on the proposal by visiting Liverpool Listens – https://listens.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/