The New Rouse Hill
Design Feature
Type of project
Structure Plan
State
New South Wales
Location
Urban
The New Rouse Hill is a master planned neighbourhood of approximately 123 hectares located in suburban north-west Sydney. The development features an innovative, transit-oriented shopping centre – designed to emulate the open-air nature and public open spaces of traditional town centres, and with a focus on energy and water saving measures. It comprises a growing suburb of residents with access to a range of established recreation facilities, walking and cycling paths, extensive open space areas including a restored riparian area, a new primary and high school, and a childcare centre.
Master planned neighbourhood
Residents have access to employment opportunities in the surrounding Centres and Business Parks via a dedicated bus transit way. The North-West Rail Link, which is currently under construction and expected to be operational in 2019, will link Rouse Hill to major Centres including Epping, Chatswood, and the Sydney CBD. Through an emphasis on energy and water conservation, ‘green’ travel, and community development, the New Rouse Hill has potential to provide significant co-benefits for the health and wellbeing of residents.
The New Rouse Hill site resides in Sydney’s North-West Growth Centre. In 2002, Lendlease was selected as the master developer for the site, while GPT Group was engaged for the development and ongoing management of the Town Centre. From the onset, the objective of the project was to deliver a sustainable regional centre, through the early provision of retail and services and incorporation of environmentally sustainable design elements in the neighbourhood structure, housing design, and water and energy systems, as well as providing a pedestrian friendly environment. On completion, the neighbourhood will comprise up to 1,800 dwellings, 200,000 square metres of retail and commercial space, and 32 hectares of public open space. The development features a range of dwelling types including apartments, terraces and freestanding homes.
The New Rouse Hill site resides in Sydney’s North-West Growth Centre. In 2002, Lendlease was selected as the master developer for the site, while GPT Group was engaged for the development and ongoing management of the Town Centre. From the onset, the objective of the project was to deliver a sustainable regional centre, through the early provision of retail and services and incorporation of environmentally sustainable design elements in the neighbourhood structure, housing design, and water and energy systems, as well as providing a pedestrian friendly environment. On completion, the neighbourhood will comprise up to 1,800 dwellings, 200,000 square metres of retail and commercial space, and 32 hectares of public open space. The development features a range of dwelling types including apartments, terraces and freestanding homes.
The New Rouse Hill was one of four sites included as a case study in a research project undertaken from 2011-2016 by the Healthy Built Environments Program at the University of New South Wales, in partnership with the Heart Foundation, UrbanGrowth NSW and the South-Western Sydney Local Health District. The objective of the study, Planning and Building Healthy Communities, was to explore and further understand the role the built environment plays in facilitating physical activity, social interaction and access to healthy food.
Overall, the research showed that the New Rouse Hill provided the broad elements of healthy living such as: the opportunity to engage in active transport modes; an environment that is pleasantly walkable and with local destinations; is conducive to exercise and incidental social interaction; provides a choice of recreation facilities; and a wide range of options to source fresh food.
The Rouse Hill Town Centre is the heart of the neighbourhood, providing access to apartment living, retail and commercial outlets, fresh food, entertainment, services and community facilities. There are several types of recreational facilities and green spaces across the neighbourhood, including an all abilities playground. The playground is co-located with a range of community facilities, including a Community Room, tennis courts, basketball courts, pool, Information Centre and community garden.
There are two schools in The New Rouse Hill, as well as a preschool and child care centre. While residents are well served by the Rouse Hill Town Centre, there is also access via the rapid bus transitway (T-Way) to other important employment, retail and service nodes in the region, such as Castle Hill, Blacktown and Kellyville and Norwest Business Park.
There are two schools in The New Rouse Hill, as well as a preschool and child care centre. While residents are well served by the Rouse Hill Town Centre, there is also access via the rapid bus transitway (T-Way) to other important employment, retail and service nodes in the region, such as Castle Hill, Blacktown and Kellyville and Norwest Business Park.
The wider suburb of Rouse Hill, and the surrounding areas, are typical of outer-suburban, low-density locations in terms of car dependence. Consequently, UrbanGrowth NSW, Lendlease and GPT Group have made significant efforts to provide opportunities for recreational walking and cycling, and encourage use of active travel modes and public transport. This was formalised through a Travel Demand Management Package. A levy of $3 million was provided by Lendlease and GPT Group to fund travel demand management initiatives, such as a Green Travel Plan (See Environmental Values), and an additional $16 million was invested in the development of a bus transit interchange, walking and cycling infrastructure connecting the residential precincts and the Town Centre, bicycle parking, and vehicle traffic reduction schemes.
Interviews and focus groups with some residents have provided insight into how these elements have worked in practice. While satisfaction with the neighbourhood, infrastructure and facilities was high among study participants, self-reported levels of incidental physical activity via active transport were low. Participants reported that their journey to work was characterised by a lack of viable public transport options, although it is hoped that this will be significantly addressed when the North-West Rail link opens in 2019. Direct walking and cycling routes to the planned railway station will be vital for encouraging incidental physical activity.
Interviews and focus groups with some residents have provided insight into how these elements have worked in practice. While satisfaction with the neighbourhood, infrastructure and facilities was high among study participants, self-reported levels of incidental physical activity via active transport were low. Participants reported that their journey to work was characterised by a lack of viable public transport options, although it is hoped that this will be significantly addressed when the North-West Rail link opens in 2019. Direct walking and cycling routes to the planned railway station will be vital for encouraging incidental physical activity.
Project team
- Lendlease
- GPT Group
- Urban Growth NSW
- NSW Land and Property Management Authority
Project Cost
Unavailable
Health Value
- The New Rouse Hill offers residents the opportunity to engage in healthy behaviours via the provision of a walking and cycling network, with high quality paths and associated infrastructure, connected to desirable destinations; opportunities for social interaction in a diverse range of public open spaces; and accessible healthy food options.
- Shared pathways in the recreational areas connect well to the residential footpath network, which is based on a grid layout with allowances for topography, enabling residents to be physically active, either by walking, running or cycling. There are ample opportunities to ride to the Town Centre, with bicycle racks, bike lockers, and end of trip facilities provided. Street trees, landscaping, street furniture and public art contribute to creating a sense of place, which may further encourage physical activity. In recognition of the role companion animals play in the daily lives and health of residents, the Town Centre features two pet parking stations. Recreational physical activity is supported with extensive and diverse public open spaces, ranging from small and large playgrounds, walking and cycling tracks, BBQs, an Amphitheatre, water feature, and a riparian conservation area.
- The New Rouse Hill Town Centre offers a wide variety of healthy food sources. The neighbourhood also includes a Community Kitchen Garden and a weekly Farmers’ Market.
Economic value
- The Rouse Hill shopping centre is one of the largest regional shopping centres in Australia, and a significant attraction for the regional population. After an initial investment of $470 million, the centre was valued at $578.8 million in December 2016 (GPT Group, 2016). In 2017, the GPT Group submitted plans for a $250 million expansion of the Town Centre.
- The design of the Town Centre is a significant factor in its attractiveness as a destination, and role in stimulating the local economy. The objective was to provide a ‘vibrant and pedestrian friendly town centre where the surrounding community can meet, shop, be entertained, work and live’. The land use mix supports a diverse range of businesses, which attracts customers and therefore increases activity. Public seating and unusual elements such as the pet parking and a rooftop garden encourage visitors to relax and stay longer. The walkability of the centre, and accessibility via public transport, are key factors in attracting customers.
- The North-West Rail Link is also expected to support the local economy. The co-location of the train station and the shopping centre can stimulate growth in the retail and services industries, creating business and employment opportunities, and increasing demand for nearby housing.
Environmental value
- The New Rouse Hill offers environmental value through design elements such as the use of energy efficient lighting in homes and the street network; use of recycled water; restoration and conservation of the Caddies Creek Riparian Corridor; and adoption of the principles of Water Sensitive Urban Design. An example of this is the vegetated swales (ditches that have been designed to temporarily hold water and allow it to gradually permeate into the soil) that feature prominently in the street network. Other elements include bio-retention systems, rain gardens, and wetlands.
- The development approval included a $3 million Travel Demand Management Program to encourage active travel. This led to the creation of a Green Travel Plan for the Rouse Hill Town Centre, implemented by a Green Travel Coordinator. The goal of the Plan is to promote and facilitate travel to and from the Town Centre for employees, customers and residents, via active and sustainable means. The Plan includes a target for 20% single vehicle trip mode shift to alternative forms by 2017 (Paine et al, 2016). A Green Travel Club was established for residents working in the Town Centre. Members have access to an online ride-share database, showers and secure bicycle parking. The Green Travel Coordinator has also prepared a Walking and Cycling Guide to New Rouse Hill, and a Transport Access Guide.
Social value
- The overall design of facilities, public streets and open space areas in The New Rouse Hill has the potential to foster incidental social interactions. The area is aesthetically pleasing, with significant numbers of street trees, landscaping and street furniture provided and attractive recreational areas, with a range of different designs utilised (i.e. lighting, art, seating, sculpture, points of interest for children). The Town Centre includes several public open spaces with seating and other facilities that encourages community members to utilise the space, with most circulation areas including active frontages, which provides passive surveillance and promotes walking.
- Examples of infrastructure to encourage social inclusion and cultural diversity within The New Rouse Hill include the children’s playground with universal access features; and the community gardens, which include a range of crops favoured by people from different cultural backgrounds, and which may provide an opportunity for social interaction and cultural exchange. In addition, effort has been made to provide different forms of housing to accommodate different needs.
Use value
- Within the residential area of The New Rouse Hill, there are extensive public open spaces with a diversity of functions and facilities, ranging from small and large playgrounds, walking and cycling tracks, BBQs, an amphitheatre, a large water feature, and a riparian conservation area.
- There are also two privately operated gyms in the Town Centre (one open 24 hours), a variety of active recreation classes held in the various meeting rooms in the Council-managed Community Centre, and various facilities that are available only to residents, including two swimming pools, a tennis court, mixed-use ball court and gym. Use of these facilities provides residents and visitors the opportunity to build social capital and lead a healthier lifestyle.
References
Cottier, K. and Rudolph, J. 2006. ‘Rouse Hill Town Centre: From Concept to Detailed Design’. Town Centres Conference 2006. http://www.ictcsociety.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RB2XuWsboes=&tabid=129&mid=548
Paine, G., Mitchell, E., and Thompson, S. 2016. Planning and Building Healthy Communities – A multi-disciplinary study of the relationahip between the built environment and human health. Study area findings for Rouse Hill. Sydney: City Futures Research Centre. https://cityfutures.be.unsw.edu.au/research/projects/planning-and-building-healthy-communities-a-multidisciplinary-study-of-the-relationship-between-the-built-environment-and-human-health/
Wiblin, S., Mulley, C., and Ison, S. 2012. ‘Precinct wide travel plans – learnings from Rouse Hill Town Centre.’ Australasian Transport Research Forum 2012 Proceedings, 29 September 2012, Perth, Australia. atrf.info/papers/2012/2012\_Wiblin\_Mulley\_Ison.pdf
Photographs provided by Lendlease.
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