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Western Sydney residents say they are concerned kangaroos will be killed to make way for 1500 homes planned to be built by the local university.
Under a joint proposal by Western Sydney University and property development company Stockland, two university campuses in Werrington, near Penrith, would be redeveloped into a town centre with buildings up to seven storeys, 12,000 square metres of retail and a potential school.
However, the transformation of the 99-hectare site, which is no longer used for student classes, has residents worried about the fate of the 138 eastern grey kangaroos and other wildlife that live there.
Sandra Newham is one of more than 6000 people who signed a petition calling for the protection of the kangaroos, saying the mob has long coexisted peacefully with the community.
“They were just really at ease with us there,” she said about a recent visit to the site. “One big fella was doing a roll in the grass, and the mamas were all feeding their babies.”
Along with wildlife concerns, Newham said she believes that, by potentially selling off the campuses, the university is abandoning Penrith.
“The one big concern is: what’s going to happen to the kangaroos?” Newham said. “Western Sydney [University] is selling out Penrith residents and beyond in terms of the university … we feel that our present youth and our future generations are being ripped off.”
A spokesperson for Western Sydney University said teaching activity at Werrington had transitioned over time to its nearby Kingswood campus and that it, along with Stockland, would prepare a management plan to determine how to best manage the kangaroos.
The project would provide a range of public benefits to support Penrith’s future growth, including potential roads, open space, affordable housing and environmental improvements, a Stockland spokesperson added.
“Around 25 per cent of the precinct is also proposed as public open space and conservation land, helping protect environmental values while improving access to green space for the community,” they said.
Under the proposal, 18.4 hectares of open space would be developed, but 5.4 hectares of that would be sporting fields based at the university’s Kingswood campus.
Concerns the project could deliver more than the 1500 homes proposed have also been raised, with Penrith Labor councillor John Thain describing it as a “dog’s breakfast” at the latest meeting.
“There is no cast iron guarantee that it will be 1500 homes. Sorry, but I’ve been around long enough, I’m that cynical, that I’ve seen 5500 homes turn into 9800 in different developments as things progress because they can get more on that land,” he said.
It’s not the first time the university has proposed selling off a campus. Earlier this year, it lodged plans with the housing delivery authority to transform its North Parramatta campus into a residential precinct with up to 2000 apartments, student accommodation, retail space and community facilities.
The university’s spokesperson said any proceeds from the sale would be reinvested in its education, research and strategic priorities.
Ellie Busby is a Parramatta reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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