Station can exist without demolishing the Hills Centre
There are two possible options for the Station location that would retain the Hills Centre. Both, I have been told by a North West Rail representative, are possible. He said the Southern Option would need to dig 10 m deeper and have an extra elevator, or go behind the Hills centre. He also said the council are being encouraged to rebuild a facility for the performing arts to replace the Hills Centre.
The State government acquired the land where the Council Depot up to Showground Road including the Hills Centre and the Council chambers. They intend eventually to build high rise on this site.
Katherine Martin from North West Rail told me they changed the plan because Council said they were moving out and it gave them the option to move the station.
Option 1
The original Southern option as proposed by the State Government.
The Hills Centre car park would be used by North West Rail Link (NWRL), and the station was to be positioned on Carrington Rd to the South of the Hills Centre in the vicinity of the Council Depot. This was the proposed site from Feb 2012 until October 2012 when the government changed their mind. Now the government have purchased the whole site there is even more reason not to demolish the Hills Centre. The don't need as much land for the offices as they will be using the council chambers.
8 Feb 2012
Castle Hill and Hills Agricultural Society president Peter Gooch said
“The society's preferred southern option would most likely affect the animal nursery, Country Women's Association kiosk, horticulture, cattle, cats, goats and possibly the poultry pavilions and cattle and dog lawns during the rail line's construction."
But Mr Gooch said it could be a win-win situation where the government would rebuild the facilities to the community and patrons' benefit: they could eventually catch the train to the showground.”
26 Mar 2012
http://www.hillsnews.com.au/story/245931/north-west-rail-link-centre-station-backed-by-premier/
Premier Barry O'Farrell publicly backed the southern option for the Hills Centre station on the North West Rail Link last week. The southern option will have minimal impact on the showground. The station would be built to the south of the showground adjacent to Carrington Road, in the vicinity of the council depot site.
Mr O'Farrell said "the southern option was developed following community feedback and additional design work and provided the best transport integration solution."
The State government acquired the land where the Council Depot up to Showground Road including the Hills Centre and the Council chambers. They intend eventually to build high rise on this site.
Katherine Martin from North West Rail told me they changed the plan because Council said they were moving out and it gave them the option to move the station.
Option 1
The original Southern option as proposed by the State Government.
The Hills Centre car park would be used by North West Rail Link (NWRL), and the station was to be positioned on Carrington Rd to the South of the Hills Centre in the vicinity of the Council Depot. This was the proposed site from Feb 2012 until October 2012 when the government changed their mind. Now the government have purchased the whole site there is even more reason not to demolish the Hills Centre. The don't need as much land for the offices as they will be using the council chambers.
8 Feb 2012
Castle Hill and Hills Agricultural Society president Peter Gooch said
“The society's preferred southern option would most likely affect the animal nursery, Country Women's Association kiosk, horticulture, cattle, cats, goats and possibly the poultry pavilions and cattle and dog lawns during the rail line's construction."
But Mr Gooch said it could be a win-win situation where the government would rebuild the facilities to the community and patrons' benefit: they could eventually catch the train to the showground.”
26 Mar 2012
http://www.hillsnews.com.au/story/245931/north-west-rail-link-centre-station-backed-by-premier/
Premier Barry O'Farrell publicly backed the southern option for the Hills Centre station on the North West Rail Link last week. The southern option will have minimal impact on the showground. The station would be built to the south of the showground adjacent to Carrington Road, in the vicinity of the council depot site.
Mr O'Farrell said "the southern option was developed following community feedback and additional design work and provided the best transport integration solution."
Option 2
Put the station behind the Hills Centre.
The North West Rail was originally to be called the Hills Centre Station as the railway was going past the Hills Centre. As you can see from the photo, there is plenty of room between the show ring and the Hills Centre, actually, there is even more room behind the short row of trees. Now the road is not going through the showground, but at lights yet to be built at Showground Rd near the council chambers, this option is now a viable one. This would also mean the train line could go under Anella Ave., rather than under the buildings including Dayspring Church and others.
Comments were made that this would be too isolated. Anyone who has been to the showground at night will know this is not the case. Anyway, what station is not isolated at night? This position is not as isolated as it would be if the station was on Carrington Rd across from a day care centre, and possible businesses that are closed at night. If the Hills Centre restaurant is open of an evening and later on a Saturday night, it gives an opportunity for a late night coffee after going to the city or a performance at the Hills Centre.
Put the station behind the Hills Centre.
The North West Rail was originally to be called the Hills Centre Station as the railway was going past the Hills Centre. As you can see from the photo, there is plenty of room between the show ring and the Hills Centre, actually, there is even more room behind the short row of trees. Now the road is not going through the showground, but at lights yet to be built at Showground Rd near the council chambers, this option is now a viable one. This would also mean the train line could go under Anella Ave., rather than under the buildings including Dayspring Church and others.
Comments were made that this would be too isolated. Anyone who has been to the showground at night will know this is not the case. Anyway, what station is not isolated at night? This position is not as isolated as it would be if the station was on Carrington Rd across from a day care centre, and possible businesses that are closed at night. If the Hills Centre restaurant is open of an evening and later on a Saturday night, it gives an opportunity for a late night coffee after going to the city or a performance at the Hills Centre.