Development options at Camellia

The majority of the Camellia peninsula, dominated primarily by heavy industry, is likely to remain industrial for the foreseeable future constraining redevelopment in the short to medium term.

The results from a Parramatta City Council investigation with key stakeholders indicated that the major businesses – including leading Australian and international companies – intended to stay on the peninsula, a council report said.

However, a number of land-use options needed to be explored which could provide a more diverse mix of such uses over the medium to long term, council said.

Council is currently considering a planning proposal for a commercial and residential development on the western side of the precinct fronting James Ruse Drive. Other options that could be considered include the creation of a transition area to the north of the precinct, at the interface with Rydalmere, with a mix of commercial/enterprise ventures. The eastern part of the precinct fronting Silverwater would likely retain its heavy industry character over the longer term, with the rest of the site potentially becoming a mix of lighter industrial uses.

Strategy 

Council’s economic development strategy nominates the peninsula as an “eco-industrial precinct”, retaining its industrial nature and increasing research and development opportunities.

“A number of resource recovery industries are currently located within the precinct … using advanced technologies [and] building on this industry cluster, an opportunity exists for collaborating with universities and businesses to develop Camellia into a larger innovation/advanced technology precinct,” council said.

Irrespective of future land use, access to the peninsula remains the most pressing issue,” council said.

Council has resolved to undertake a traffic study to understand options for improving road access. This includes one or more bridges across Duck River.