Reclassification and Rezoning of Land at Woodchester Close Reserve

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Consultation has concluded.

Woodchester Close Reserve walking track. Dirt track surrounded by bush and trees with residential backyards to the right.

Summary

Council is proposing to correct a long-standing boundary misalignment at Woodchester Close Reserve. The existing fence line and landscaping works of three residential properties currently encroaches onto Council-owned land due to a historic surveying error. The proposal would enable the land to be formally transferred to the adjoining owners, regularising property boundaries to match the existing fence line. The proposal will not result in any physical works and will not change how the reserve is currently being used by the community.


Full Details

A planning proposal to reclassify and rezone a portion of land at Woodchester Close Reserve (No. 148, 11Z Woodchester Close, Castle Hill) is currently on public exhibition until Wednesday 3 June 2026.

The planning proposal would not result in any physical changes to Woodchester Close Reserve and would not result in any reduction of land that is currently utilised for public open space. The planning proposal seeks to correct a historic boundary misalignment by reclassifying and rezoning a portion of Council-owned land to enable the sale and transfer of approximately 178m2 of land.

The existing fence line and landscaping works of 3 adjoining privately-owned residential properties currently encroaches into Woodchester Close Reserve. The encroachment is the likely outcome of a survey error, undertaken when the properties were originally developed in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The proposal will enable the existing uses to lawfully continue on these privately-owned residential properties without encroaching onto Council-owned land.

In accordance with Council’s resolution on 9 December 2025, the planning proposal seeks to amend The Hills Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2019 to:

  • Reclassify the areas of Woodchester Close Reserve which are subject to the encroachment from “Community” to “Operational”
  • Rezone these areas from RE1 Public Recreation to R2 Low Density Residential.

Council received a Gateway Determination for the planning proposal on 13 February 2026. Delegation for making the Local Environmental Plan has not been issued to Council under the Gateway Determination. In accordance with Condition 1(b) of the Gateway, Council will also consider whether to amend the maximum building height control for the subject land, consistent with the 9m maximum building height of adjoining residential properties.

Following the completion of the public exhibition period, a public hearing will also be held with respect to the reclassification and notification of this will be given on Council’s webpage 21 days prior to the date of the public hearing.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions for further information on the planning proposal here.


Public Hearing and Consultation Report

Members of the public were invited to attend a public hearing with respect to the planning proposal to reclassify and rezone Council-owned land at Woodchester Close Reserve (No. 148, 11Z Woodchester Close, Castle Hill) from ‘Community’ to ‘Operational’. The public hearing was independently chaired by Astrolabe Group and was held at 7pm on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at Council’s Administration Building. The purpose of the public hearing was to give interested people the opportunity to have their say on the proposed reclassification before a decision is made.

Following the public hearing, an Independent Consultation Report was prepared by Astrolabe and was provided to Council on 27 July 2026. In accordance with the relevant legislative requirements, the Independent Consultation Report is now publicly available for viewing.

The purpose of the Independent Consultation Report is to summarise the key points raised at the public hearing. Its function is not to make recommendations or a decision about the proposal. It will assist Council when making a decision on whether to reclassify the site.

Read the Public Hearing Report here.


Public Exhibition Period: Wednesday, 6 May 2026 to Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at 5pm.

Enquiries: Jack Fulton, Town Planner, 9843 0154

Summary

Council is proposing to correct a long-standing boundary misalignment at Woodchester Close Reserve. The existing fence line and landscaping works of three residential properties currently encroaches onto Council-owned land due to a historic surveying error. The proposal would enable the land to be formally transferred to the adjoining owners, regularising property boundaries to match the existing fence line. The proposal will not result in any physical works and will not change how the reserve is currently being used by the community.


Full Details

A planning proposal to reclassify and rezone a portion of land at Woodchester Close Reserve (No. 148, 11Z Woodchester Close, Castle Hill) is currently on public exhibition until Wednesday 3 June 2026.

The planning proposal would not result in any physical changes to Woodchester Close Reserve and would not result in any reduction of land that is currently utilised for public open space. The planning proposal seeks to correct a historic boundary misalignment by reclassifying and rezoning a portion of Council-owned land to enable the sale and transfer of approximately 178m2 of land.

The existing fence line and landscaping works of 3 adjoining privately-owned residential properties currently encroaches into Woodchester Close Reserve. The encroachment is the likely outcome of a survey error, undertaken when the properties were originally developed in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The proposal will enable the existing uses to lawfully continue on these privately-owned residential properties without encroaching onto Council-owned land.

In accordance with Council’s resolution on 9 December 2025, the planning proposal seeks to amend The Hills Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2019 to:

  • Reclassify the areas of Woodchester Close Reserve which are subject to the encroachment from “Community” to “Operational”
  • Rezone these areas from RE1 Public Recreation to R2 Low Density Residential.

Council received a Gateway Determination for the planning proposal on 13 February 2026. Delegation for making the Local Environmental Plan has not been issued to Council under the Gateway Determination. In accordance with Condition 1(b) of the Gateway, Council will also consider whether to amend the maximum building height control for the subject land, consistent with the 9m maximum building height of adjoining residential properties.

Following the completion of the public exhibition period, a public hearing will also be held with respect to the reclassification and notification of this will be given on Council’s webpage 21 days prior to the date of the public hearing.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions for further information on the planning proposal here.


Public Hearing and Consultation Report

Members of the public were invited to attend a public hearing with respect to the planning proposal to reclassify and rezone Council-owned land at Woodchester Close Reserve (No. 148, 11Z Woodchester Close, Castle Hill) from ‘Community’ to ‘Operational’. The public hearing was independently chaired by Astrolabe Group and was held at 7pm on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at Council’s Administration Building. The purpose of the public hearing was to give interested people the opportunity to have their say on the proposed reclassification before a decision is made.

Following the public hearing, an Independent Consultation Report was prepared by Astrolabe and was provided to Council on 27 July 2026. In accordance with the relevant legislative requirements, the Independent Consultation Report is now publicly available for viewing.

The purpose of the Independent Consultation Report is to summarise the key points raised at the public hearing. Its function is not to make recommendations or a decision about the proposal. It will assist Council when making a decision on whether to reclassify the site.

Read the Public Hearing Report here.


Public Exhibition Period: Wednesday, 6 May 2026 to Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at 5pm.

Enquiries: Jack Fulton, Town Planner, 9843 0154