A community group believes high-rise development will spread along the East Hills-Airport rail line following the declaration of Bardwell Park, and Turrella as priority precincts.
Wolli Creek Preservation Society spokesman Peter Stevens said the proposals were “appalling”.
“Given what has happened along the Bankstown line, particularly at Canterbury, we can expect the same fate, with Bexley North, Kingsgrove and Beverly Hills next to go,” he said.
Mr Stevens questioned the last-minute postponement of a community information, which was to have been held on Tuesday, June 20, at Arncliffe.
It will be held instead at Rockdale Library on Monday, July 24, from 4.30pm-7.30pm.
Mr Stevens said the new location “is even further away from the affected communities”.
“This is either a deliberate effort to thwart or minimise community involvement or serious incompetence,” Mr Stevens said.
“In either case, it is hard to trust the department to plan whole suburbs if they can’t organise a location and date, or plan a proper consultation process that allows citizens to hear each others’ concerns.
A Department of Planning and Environment spokeswoman said the session was postponed to ensure that as many people as possible were informed the event was being held and could plan to attend and and provide their views.
Planning and Housing Minister Anthony Roberts said in a statement Bardwell Park and Turrella had been identified as priority precincts “to fast-track the building of new homes close to transport and services”.
“In developing the plans, it’s vital the local character of this community is recognised and urban design principles outlined in the Government Architect’s Better Placed are used,” he said.
“This will ensure good design outcomes and that these precincts are sustainable, adaptable, connected and safe.”
Mr Roberts said there would be a review of essential infrastructure such as roads, schools and parks.
“Funding frameworks for infrastructure will be considered before any rezoning decisions are made,” he said.
No figure was put on the government’s contribution to new infrastructure.