City of Ryde Council has welcomed an independent planning panel’s decision to prevent sports fields in Northern Sydney from being repurposed as a housing development.
The TG Millner Fields, situated in Marsfield in Sydney, were donated by the Millner family to the Eastwood Rugby Club in the 1960s.
The land was sold by Eastwood Rugby Club to North Ryde RSL in 2017 for $18 million as open space.
North Ryde RSL recently submitted a planning proposal to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment seeking to rezone the land to enable them to develop it for 132 dwellings.
However, the independent Sydney North Planning Panel determined at its meeting held on 30 November that the proposal did not have sufficient strategic merit to progress to exhibition.
City of Ryde Mayor, Jordan Lane, has welcomed the Planning Panel’s decision.
“This decision sends a clear message that the TG Millner Fields are off-limits to developers,” he said.
“These fields have continued to be used by community sporting groups, including local rugby league, rugby union and touch football teams and these groups represent thousands of players, parents, families, coaches, support staff, officials and fans.
“We need to make sure that these fields have long-term protection, so that our residents can continue to access and enjoy these open spaces for generations to come.
“I want to thank my Council colleagues, particularly West Ward Councillors Trenton Brown, Daniel Han and Justin Li for their ongoing advocacy, and Ryde MP Victor Dominello for working in partnership to achieve this incredible result for the community.”
City of Ryde Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Rylands said the Council was supportive of development when it is appropriately located and supported by the necessary infrastructure.
“At this point there is no need for additional capacity for low density residential development of this scale, which is what was being proposed in this planning proposal,” said Mr Rylands.
“The City of Ryde supports sensible development. We want to see this City continue to grow in a sustainable manner and redeveloping this sporting field just doesn’t make sense in that context.
“The Council will continue to communicate with the community on this issue and will work towards ensuring that the TG Millner Fields are protected in the long-term.”
For more information about the campaign and to show your support for Council’s position visit www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/SOS
