Delivering Transit-Oriented Development in lower order centres: the case of Epping town centre, Sydney

ABSTRACT

The urban renewal of middle-ring suburban centres has emerged as a central component of strategic planning in Australia. Often based on the design principles of Transit Oriented Development, the renewal of middle-ring centres is viewed as a panacea for many of the challenges facing Australian cities. However, implementation remains a challenge. Using Epping town centre, located in northwest Sydney, as an example, we explore a series of planning, governance and delivery challenges which emerge to inhibit renewal. Our focus is on; first, the challenges of fluid and uncertain planning identities in delivering renewal; second, the role of ad hoc and politically expedient transport infrastructure delivery in framing renewal; and, thirdly, the role of the private sector (especially foreign investors and developers) in delivering urban change. This analysis provides important insights for the planning and renewal of lower order middle-ring centres across Australia cities.

KEYWORDS:

• Urban renewal
• Transit Oridented Development
• town centres
• metropolitan planning
• Sydney

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The principle planning document for local government.

2 Epping changed planning subregions as it moved from Hornsby to Parramatta councils.

3 Greater Sydney Commission, Department of Planning and Environment, Transport for NSW, and Roads and Maritime Service.

4 The rail line would cross five Labor electorates.

5 The other proposed route were linking Parramatta to (a) Castle Hill in the north, (b) Bankstown in the south, and (c) Olympic park in the east.

6 http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/4528873/parramatta-light-rail-could-extend-to-epping/.

7 http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/.

8 A middle-ring brownfield renewal site located on the banks of the Parramatta River in Canada Bay Council.

9 An inner-city brownfield renewal site located in Sydney City Council. Development was initiated in 2001 by Landcom – the State Government’s land development agency.

10 https://www.sydneymetro.info.