Here is our submission to Council on the proposed rezoning of 1-3 Johnson Rd. You can have your say on this proposal until 11 May 2025.
Thank you for the opportunity to give feedback on this proposal. The aim of Friends of Berowra Valley (FoBV) is to protect the natural landscape, heritage and biodiversity of Berowra Valley.
This project presents an opportunity for Council to show they value the communities wishes and are capable of compromise to protect CEEC communities.
Background
1 and 3 Johnson Rd, Galston is approximately 2.92ha. The site is owned by Hornsby Shire Council and current uses include a Council depot, Council storage and the Galston Fire Brigade facilities. 1 and 3 Johnson Rd, Galston are currently zoned RU4 (Primary Production Small Lots). In June 2023, Council resolved to put together a planning proposal to rezone the site to E4 (General Industrial).
Under the Hornsby LEP 2013, the site is zoned RU4 (Primary Production Small Lots), has a minimum lot size of 2ha and a maximum building height limit of 10.5m. Current permitted uses include child care facilities, community facilities, residential development (including dwelling houses, dual occupancies and secondary dwellings), garden centres, information and education facilities, landscaping material supplies, plant nurseries, recreation areas, and veterinary hospitals.
What the Local Community Want
Johnson Rd in Galston is a quiet street, leading to four other local streets with no through traffic. 3 Johnson Rd is home to a lovely large green parkland, bordered by dozens of beautiful mature Scribbly Gums and the critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest, it is also home to an abundance of birdlife. This beautiful space is council owned land but is used daily by locals – old and young – to walk, kick a ball, ride bikes, play tip, gather kindling and meet in the late afternoon with their dogs to talk with neighbours. This unofficial park sits above Colah Creek where platypus have been observed.
3 Johnson Rd is the only green space within easy walking distance of the western side of Galston. It is accessible to a large number of homes without the need to cross a main road, which is extremely important to families in our area. Our kids enjoy this wide open space on a daily basis but importantly, the nature of this parkland and its proximity to so many residential streets mean it is also used by a large number of adults. Lasting friendships have been born here, and it’s a truly special meeting place.
What the Council Wants
In June 2023, Council resolved to put together a planning proposal to rezone the site to E4 (General Industrial), to increase employment opportunities in the area and provide financial benefit to Council.
Biodiversity Report Finds a CEEC
As part of the planning proposal Council found out that the area contained a Critically Endangered Ecological Community (CEEC) the Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest (STIF).
Image taken from the Biodiversity Assessment Report
PCT 3259 Sydney Coastal Shale-Sandstone Forest is shown in light green.
PCT 3262 Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest is shown in purple.
Despite Council recently running an important campaign calling on the community to protect another CEEC, the Blue Gum High Forest, Council has not followed its own lead and changed tack, and still plans to recommend that the site at Johnson Rd is zoned as E4 General Industrial.
Despite Council’s failure to step up and unambiguously lead in the protection of our natural assets, the community wants to protect critically endangered plants, animals or ecological communities. Alongside this, the community at Galston wants their valued natural place to remain so, to continue connecting, playing and building friendships. The community sees the recent abject failure of Council to protect the STIF CEEC at Westleigh Park and the subsequent loss of all funding for that project. This is an important opportunity for Council to show itself capable of listening to the community, and, creating better plans for development in the Shire without destroying or damaging another well-known Critically Endangered Ecological Community.
Recommendation
Rezone 3 Johnson Road and the area containing STIF to C2 (Environmental Conservation).