Hills Shire places draft planning agreement for Central Gables Playing Fields on public exhibition

The Hills Shire Council has advised that the draft Planning Agreement and supporting material for the construction of a premier-level hockey facility at the Central Playing Fields in Gables is now on public exhibition.

Council was recently successful in applying for $11.2 million in grant funding from the State Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) program, for the construction of a premier-level hockey facility at the Central Playing Fields in Gables.

Development consent was issued for this premier-level hockey facility in August 2019 (DA 110/2019/HA), which allows for two synthetic hockey fields, two interchangeable basketball / netball courts, athletics track, informal sports facilities, playground and amenities building. The approval was subsequently modified on 6th September 2022 to facilitate a number of design changes and align the proposed facility with the outcomes required under the State VPA.

At its meeting of 11th October 2022, Council resolved to publicly exhibit a draft local VPA submitted by the Gables master developer, Stockland, which would require Stockland to deliver this premier-level hockey facility on behalf of Council. Council would in turn reimburse Stockland up to a maximum value of $11.2 million, using the State VPA funding received by Council for this project.

The proposed local VPA, currently on exhibition, does not seek to alter the facility from what has already been approved under the abovementioned DA and modification. The draft VPA primarily serves a mechanical function, being to ensure the delivery of the higher-level facility by Stockland in accordance with the terms of the State Funding Agreement and includes the milestones that Stockland will need to satisfy in order to be reimbursed with the State VPA funds.

The draft Planning Agreement and supporting material are now on public exhibition and available for inspection on the 'Have your Say' Page of the Council's Website 

PUBLIC EXHIBITION PERIOD: Tuesday 8th August to Tuesday 5th September 2023

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5pm on Tuesday 5th September 2023