The Baird Liberal Government has released its final UrbanGrowth plan for The Parramatta Rd corridor, including Taverners Hill. The density of the precinct will increase more than 400%, but there is no new infrastructure to support these new residents.

Last night Petersham Bowling Club was packed by local residents voicing their concern with the draft ‘New Parramatta Road’ transformation strategy for Taveners Hill, recently released by UrbanGrowth NSW.

The draft strategy proposes demolishing hundreds of period homes in the residential streets of Lewisham and Leichhardt to make way for apartment blocks up to 12 stories high. Housing density will increase dramatically – the area is now home to 700 residents but the plan is to house 5500.

Residents are rightly concerned that this will have huge impacts on the liveability of the area: putting pressure on schools and medical services; reducing public space; increasing traffic; and putting pressure on an already under-resourced public transport system.