Developer Luke Scobie believes Hanwood can be transformed into a much better place to live. Photo: hanwood.com.au.
A property developer says he’s determined to build houses and infrastructure that will “transform Hanwood”, despite Griffith Council voting to limit his plans last month.
Sydney-based Luke Scobie put forward a proposal in 2023 to rezone two farming blocks north of Leonard Road (next to Old Willbriggie Road) and an adjoining block on the corner of Kidman Way and Thorne Road so he could build 440 houses, 120 apartments and an indoor sports centre, pool, childcare centre and other amenities.
“Hanwood is closer to the centre of Griffith than parts of Collina,” Mr Scobie said.
“It’s got great potential. If you look at where people go on weekends — to Bunnings, the cinema, the leagues club — those places are more convenient to get to from Hanwood than Collina.”
Griffith Council initially asked Mr Scobie to remove his plan for 120 apartments and last month voted to approve his proposal to develop on the two blocks north of Leonard Road but not on the one next to Kidman Way, arguing that it was a flood risk and too close to a noisy highway.
The council vote was 5-4, with councillors Doug Curran, Shari Blumer, Jenny Ellis, Laurie Testoni and Tony O’Grady all supporting the motion, while Christine Stead, Scott Groat, Mark Dal Bon and Anne Napoli all pushed to allow the development on the Kidman Way block as well.
Mr Scobie’s plan for Hanwood. Griffith Council voted not to allow the Kidman Way block proposal at this stage. Image: Supplied.
Mr Scobie said he was disappointed with this decision and wanted it reviewed.
“The original plan included a larger area for new homes. Council’s decision to exclude land at 11300 Kidman Way was made on the basis of potential flooding impacts,” he said.
”Our independent flood modelling demonstrates that allowing the full site to proceed provides a more coordinated and cost-effective infrastructure solution for Hanwood.”
The developer said it made no sense to hamstring his plans at a time when Griffith had a chronic housing shortage and desperately needed more places for people to live.
“The original plan envisaged planning and delivery of the new homes to commence immediately. Council’s adopted approach introduces a staged approach delaying delivery up to five years,” he said.
“It generally takes 18 months to get rezoning through, but I’ve been frustrated for three years. I hoped to have 70 houses built by now, but we still haven’t been able to start.”
The blocks are currently zoned as “Rural”, which prevents residential development such as housing estates.
Mr Scobie now plans to take his vision directly to the public and has organised a community forum at the Hanwood Sports Club for Thursday (19 February) to tell people about the proposal and to answer questions.
He said Hanwood could be transformed into something special, where people had more of what they needed around them, with less need to travel to Griffith.
“We want people to be able to wake up in the morning, walk a few metres, grab a coffee, eat some real food, have a farm-to-table experience,” he said.
The NSW Government’s Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure makes the final call on whether the land can be rezoned.
Mr Scobie’s community forum will start with a free barbecue at 5:30 pm, with the Q&A session from 6 pm on Thursday (19 February) at the Hanwood Sports Club, 21 Yarran Street. All are welcome.
