Fed-up locals in 'overcrowded' suburb slam the hundreds of units being built on their doorstep - warning the area is already at breaking point

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Sydneysiders living in a suburb set to receive hundreds of new units have voiced their anger at the pressure on their already 'overcrowded' and under-resourced community.
Construction giant Meriton has proposed 620 new units in Carlingford, 22km north-west of the CBD, with the first stage under construction promising seven luxury residential towers, soaring to 29 levels.
The development on 18 Shirley Street and 263–273 Pennant Hills Road, which boasts the tallest towers in the area, has been met with backlash from locals who feel the area is already overcrowded.
Parramatta Council reluctantly supported Meriton's proposal for the new development in 2023, citing fears the area could have lost out on community infrastructure if they didn't back the plans.
'We feel like our hands are tied because we're going to get the developments anyway,' Councillor Michelle Garrard said at the time.
Meriton's new development, which temporarily shut down last week after construction worker Paulo Mau'u died on site and another was left fighting for his life, includes plans for a community centre, library and a supermarket.
However, locals claim there isn't sufficient infrastructure in the area such as schools and hospitals to support the already overcrowded community.
Carlingford resident Claudine told Daily Mail the development is 'driven by money and very little thought'.
'They need to fix the roads first before they start moving more people in, that's the biggest thing,' she said.
'The traffic is already really s**t around here. It would be nice if they had a plan for that too.'
She stressed the need for more local schools and hospitals adding: 'I was in hospital recently in ED and there were people waiting for almost 48 hours to be seen because there's too many people.'
Young couple James and Amelia voiced their concerns that the new development will be unaffordable for local families.
One-bedroom apartments in the development are on the market starting from $595,000 while at the other end of the scale four-bedrooms are priced up to $1,895,000.
'People are being pushed further and further west,' James said.
'No one can afford to live where they've grown up.
'I know families that have grown up here but they've had to move all the way out west because everything has shot up in price or been turned into apartment blocks they can't afford.'
The couple, who live about 6km away in West Ryde, said new high-rise developments have 'blocked off the view' and fear the same for Carlingford.
Sandra (pictured), who moved to Sydney in 1972, said the new apartments represent the 'changing face of Australia'
'There's so many new developments being built but there's no infrastructure to support it,' James added.
'People out here are already struggling to get jobs locally.'
Sandra, who moved to Sydney in 1972 for a working holiday and decided to stay, said the new apartments represent the 'changing face of Australia'.
'I don't like it, it's so sad,' she said.
'We came here in the 70s and there were so many wonderful, fabulous opportunities for everybody, but it's all changed now.
'I wouldn't tell anybody to emigrate here anymore and if I was rich, I'd go back home, but I'm not.
'There's too many units being put up everywhere. It's horrible how the city is changing.'
Victor, who recently moved to Carlingford from Brighton-Le-Sands, said he feels there's 'too many people for such a small area'.
'I only moved in three weeks ago and I can feel it's growing so fast - it feels full,' he added.
Local resident Alina said the area was in desperate need of more 'shops, cafes and restaurants'.
A spokesperson for Meriton said they 'worked closely with council to ensure the project addresses local concerns such as traffic, parking, and infrastructure needs'.
The proposal 'went through an extensive planning process, including assessment by independent planning and design review panels, referrals to key government agencies such as the Department of Education and Transport for NSW, and thorough community consultation.
'The proposal was endorsed by Council in July 2024 following a comprehensive assessment report.
'In addition to housing, the project will deliver over 5,000m² of new public open space, interactive children's playgrounds, upgraded pedestrian links, on-site childcare, specialty and service based retail shops, a national supermarket, and a new 2,500m² Community Hub featuring a library and multiple community facilities, bringing improved and lasting benefits to both residents in the local Carlingford community and beyond.
'Importantly, the development will contribute significantly to NSW's critical housing supply, with 90 per cent of apartments at The Carling priced well below Sydney's median house price of $1.5million.
'To further support home buyers, Meriton is offering Australia's lowest two-year fixed home loan rate of just four per cent, making purchasing more affordable than renting for many.
'The apartments have been well received by the market and are selling strongly.'