Crescent Parklands

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on SSD-70283710. Please see the attached response, information sheet, and Growth Data Form for the applicant to complete. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

Would create more congestion and problems in the area with more traffic leading into the M4 and Parramatta Road.
This would also impact already under strain public transport faciliites to the Woodville Road Area.
Would also create more issues with regards to noise and pollution in the area.

Thank you for sending the letter seeking residential comments on the adjacent development. I have reviewed the exhibition attachments and would like to provide three comments regarding transport risks and issues:

1. The development site is near the railway, with most buildings, occupied by a majority of people, located close to the tracks. The railway curves and bends toward the site. Has a derailment risk assessment been conducted for the development?

2. The prioritised infrastructure upgrades are well illustrated around the development site, particularly in Appendix U - Transport Impact Assessment 3. However, no upgrades are proposed for the pedestrian walkway under the railway bridge (see attached photographs). This walkway is quite narrow and directly adjacent to fast-moving traffic. I recommend installing barriers or balustrades to improve pedestrian safety.

3. The pedestrian walkway on the eastern side, from Merrylands Station to Crescent Parklands, is quite long (approximately 1.5–2 km). I propose constructing a pedestrian overbridge across the railway to enhance connectivity between Crescent Parklands in the Holroyd area, and the eastern side of the railway near Granville (see attached photograph - Page 2).

Thank you for your consideration.

The Greater Parramatta Future Underground Rail Corridor (New Cumberland Line) alignment must be resolved prior to the Crescent Parklands development proceeding. The only feasible location for the realigned New Cumberland Line tunnels is adjacent to Crescent Parklands at the current Holroyd Sportsground site. The Crescent Parklands Environmental Impact Statement and current assessments related to transport, traffic, open space, and other amenities will be rendered out of date once the New Cumberland Line alignment is finalised. Crescent St is likely to be separated in half with the new rail line leaving the existing rail corridor through Crescent St to reach either the Crescent Parklands or Holroyd Sportsground site for tunnelling, hence the traffic assessment of Crescent St being a throughfare from Walpole St to Woodville Road is inaccurate. Crescent St and Crescent Parklands will become a cu-de-sac off Woodville Rd only, as there is a lack of physcial space for a rail bridge from the southern side over Crescent St because of its proximity to the entrance to underground tunnels to the north of Crescent St. Additionally, the New Cumberland Line is proposed to be a standalone metro service incompatible with existing Sydney Trains. The New Cumberland Line metro will likely be a 3 carriage single-deck metro (down from the current 8 carriage double deck Sydney Trains) and also result in no direct rail connection between Merrylands to Central via Granville and the abandonment of the Y-Link between Merrylands - Harris Park. The changes to the rail network from the New Cumberland Line have not been factored into planned population increase and traffic/transport assessment for the Crescent Parklands proposal. Additionally, there is probity issue regarding why Transport for NSW has not acquired the Crescent Parklands site as the New Cumberland Line has been planned since the early 2010s. While the public exhibition of the Greater Parramatta Underground Future Rail Corridor was only in November 2024, Transport Minister Andrew Constance received Ministerial Briefings on the New Cumberland Line corridor in 2020-2021, the New Cumberland Line was published in the NSW Future Transport Strategy in 2018 & 2020, and the origins of the New Cumberland Line can be traced back to Transport for NSW planner David Gray in 2014-15. The merits of the New Cumberland Line in removing the Y-Link between Merrylands - Harris Park is dubious at best and also the case has not been made to justify replacing Sydney Trains (8 carriage double-deck) with 3 carriage single-deck metros on the Cumberland Line; but were the Department of Planning to approve Crescent Parklands at this point in time before the New Cumberland Line is finalised, this would be unnecessarily increasing the cost of the New Cumberland Line and delaying the future expansion of Sydney's rail network.

Subject: Feedback on Crescent Parklands Holroyd Planning Proposal
Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025, 6 PM AEDT
Dear NSW Department of Planning,
I am writing to provide my feedback on the Crescent Parklands Holroyd project. While I support the inclusion of affordable and social housing as part of urban development, I have significant concerns regarding the infrastructure and community impact of this proposal. Below are the key points I would like to raise:
Road and Traffic Congestion:
The road infrastructure in and around Granville is already under immense strain, particularly along Parramatta Road and Woodville Road. These areas experience heavy congestion during peak hours, and additional high-density developments will exacerbate this issue.
Despite some existing public transport options, such as bus routes along Woodville Road, these services are insufficient to meet current demand, let alone accommodate the increased population from this development.
Lack of Proper Bus Stops on Woodville Road:
Woodville Road lacks adequate bus stops with proper facilities for commuters. This makes public transport less accessible and discourages its use as a viable alternative to private vehicles. Improvements in this area are critical to support any new development in the region.
Parklands and Open Spaces:
While the proposal includes a new park and additional open space, the area is insufficient given the scale of the proposed development.
Existing parklands in the area are not well-maintained, and adding more residents without ensuring proper upkeep of these spaces will diminish their usability for both current and future communities.
Impact on Public Infrastructure
The surrounding suburbs, including Merrylands, Granville, and Parramatta, are already experiencing significant pressure from high-rise developments. This has led to overcrowding in schools, local hospitals, and public transport services such as buses.
The addition of up to 1,227 apartments will further strain these facilities unless substantial investments are made to expand capacity.
Parking Challenges
High-density developments often lead to parking shortages. Without adequate planning for resident and visitor parking spaces, this project risks creating significant parking issues in surrounding streets.
Law Enforcement Capacity
A population boom in the area will place additional demands on local police services. It is unclear how law enforcement resources will be scaled to address potential increases in crime or community safety concerns associated with a larger population.

In conclusion, while I acknowledge the benefits of affordable housing and community facilities proposed in this development, it is critical that these issues are addressed comprehensively before proceeding with the project. I urge the Department to prioritize improvements in road infrastructure (including proper bus stops), public transport capacity, parkland maintenance, and public services to ensure sustainable growth in Granville and surrounding areas.
Thank you for considering my feedback.