The Future of Castle Hill - Putting Sydney Hills on the Map
Did you know that there are plans for Castle Hill's future that will create the new heart of the Sydney Hills?
Are you aware that the Castle Hill Town Centre is set for growth and development that will see it transformed into a major centre - as identified under the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy?
All of these changes are aimed at encouraging interaction between residents and the town centre, stimulating new employment, developing business opportunities and breathing new life into the region.
According to the Metropolitan Strategy, the region will be home to 100,000 new residents by 2031 and 47,000 jobs will need to be created to support this growth.
What can you expect from the Castle Hill of the future? Three key projects will reshape the future of Castle Hill.
The Castle Hill Main Street project
The upgrading of the main street will begin the transformation of Castle Hill into a major centre, where restaurants, cafes, markets, commercial and retail services will link through a series of connected public spaces.
A revitalised town centre with a tree-lined main street and alfresco dining will become the social hub of the Sydney Hills, alive with activity day and night, attracting new businesses and visitors to the region.
Calmed traffic through the city centre will provide a pedestrian focus, with plans for new residential living options, shopping and dining opportunities and open space for community events.
New paving, seating, lighting and public art will create a vibrant public domain with an inviting atmosphere.
The future Castle Hill will include a transport hub around a dedicated bus area, streamlining access to public transport. The iconic Arthur Whitling Park will become a unified public space, linking the bus interchange to parkland via a café and extended seating areas.
Work on the main street project is scheduled to begin in late 2009.
The Castle Hill Town Centre Precinct plans
Exploring opportunities within the Castle Hill Town Centre Street Precinct - including the area currently known as the Terminus Street car park - will begin realising the potential of town centre.
Businesses can expect a range of opportunities to emerge and Council is currently reviewing submissions from interested investors.
Developing the town centre precinct has the potential to create 3,000 new jobs, enhance business opportunities and attract new residents - returning the heart of town to the people.
Castle Towers Stage 3
The expansion of one of the biggest shopping centres in New South Wales will further shape the future of the town centre, providing for an additional 151,800 sq m of retail space as part of Castle Towers.
The completed centre will create in the order of 1,500 new jobs and expand the range of retail and other services available to the local community. It will also provide a stimulus to further growth within the Town Centre.
Business confidence is strong
The Hills Shire Council's Economic Development Manager, John Dean said the regional economy is still strong with total unemployment at just 3.7 per cent compared to the State average of 6.2 per cent.
"The revitalisation of Castle Hill will add to our region's commercial and residential opportunities, transforming the town centre into a highly liveable environment with jobs close to home and social opportunities on people's doorsteps"
"Bringing new residents into the heart of the town centre creates an energy and a vitality both day and night - opening up new business and employment opportunities and adding new customers," Mr Dean said.
"The Sydney Hills will become an even more desirable place to live, work and play."
The Hills Shire CouncilGWP Magazine Issue #25, July-August 2009
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