6 November 2013

Strathfield Council has finally received the green light to proceed with the Powells Creek Master Plan after the State Government agreed to transfer the land formally known as the ‘Arnott’s Site’ off Parramatta Road in Homebush.

After over 10 years of negotiating for the remediation of the site, Council has come to an agreement with the Office of Strategic Lands for the transfer of the site and a commitment of $5 million to cover any costs associated with the remediation of the site.

The former Arnott’s land is part of the Powells Creek corridor which provides significant open space for the local community. Council has received $433,000 in grant funding for the Powells Creek Master Plan which, until now, it was unable touse. Council can now proceed with the Master Plan, including $50,000 funding for two basketball/netball courts in the corridor.

Mayor of Strathfield, Cr Daniel Bott was pleased to share the good news at last night’s Council meeting.

“This has been a long time coming – for over 10 years Council has been negotiating the transfer of this site, and to my knowledge, a land transfer of this size and the commitment from the State Government to underwrite the remediation of a site is unprecedented within this region.

“The land transfer means that Council’s Powells Creek Master Plan can now proceed and provide substantial recreation and open space along the Parramatta Road corridor, an undisputed high density area,” Cr Bott said.

Council will provide further reports about the land transfer and progress Master Plan in the coming months.