• The Riverstone Town Centre rezoning proposal includes 3,600 new homes, over 8 hectares of green space, and an upgraded transport hub, bringing major growth potential for investors and property owners.

• With zoning changes allowing up to 15-storey buildings and a shift from R2 to R3 or R4, local properties may see higher growth potential and a surge in property values.

• To stay ahead of the rezoning, make sure to check the updates from the NSW Government and consult a trusted valuer to know your property’s worth.

Riverstone Town Centre is up for a major change, and if you own a property in the area or you’re planning to invest, the latest rezoning proposal can bring you some big opportunities.

The Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure recently revealed its new vision for the Riverstone Town Centre Development through a public exhibition, and it’s full of great improvements for the community. The plan includes 3,600 new homes, over 8 hectares of open space, and better transport connections, which are designed to revitalise the area and encourage long-term investment.

If you’re a local property owner or a developer eyeing the area, these changes could open up some exciting possibilities. That includes a potential increase in property value over the longer term.

Why Riverstone Town Centre Is Back in the Spotlight

Riverstone Town Centre in Sydney’s north-west, has been on the NSW Government’s radar for rezoning to help meet the region’s growing population and employment needs.

Riverstone has also recorded some of the highest population growth rates (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021). But, despite its prime location and increasing popularity, it’s fallen behind its neighbouring suburbs in terms of infrastructure and development.

To help close that gap, Blacktown City Council introduced the Riverstone Town Centre Masterplan in 2017, outlining its plans for more housing, business opportunities, community facilities, and open spaces.

However, the Riverstone Town Centre Planning Proposal was paused after the area experienced severe floods in 2021 and 2022. This pushed the NSW Government to rethink its approach and launch a formal Flood Inquiry. They know they need to address the flood prone areas and traffic concerns before moving ahead.

Now, with revised plans under review, Riverstone is back in the spotlight, and so are the opportunities for property owners and developers.

Key Features of the Riverstone Town Centre Rezoning Proposal

After the recent flood events, managing flood risk has become a top priority in the updated Riverstone Town Centre development. The revised design focuses on smart urban planning, with George Street set to become the new main street filled with shops, dining, and retail. And the Riverstone Train Station? It will evolve into a central transport hub that connects the community with better pedestrian and cycling access.

The overall vision? A more connected, livable, and flood-resilient town centre that’s complete with new homes, jobs, green space, and safer streets.

Here are the key highlights from the updated Riverstone Town Centre masterplan:

• 3,600 new homes, with affordable housing contributions ranging from 1.5% to 10%
• Up to 5 hectares of employment land, supporting around 1,200 new jobs
• Over 8 hectares of new or improved open spaces, including a local sports oval
• A revitalised transport hub around Riverstone Station, with safer pedestrian access and new cycleways
• Increased building heights, with parts of Garfield Road allowing up to 15-storey developments
• A strong focus on building more flood-resilient and safer neighbourhoods through better planning and infrastructure

The public exhibition period for the Riverstone Town Centre Planning Proposal closed on July 2, 2025. Based on the community’s feedback, expect the final plan to be out in early 2026. The NSW Government also considers land acquisition to create more open space, recreation facilities, and improved stormwater management. With these upcoming changes, local property owners, investors, and developers are looking for great developments and investment opportunities.

Source: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, NSW Government, 2025

What the Riverstone Town Centre Planning Proposal Looks Like

If you look at Figure 1, the current zoning of Riverstone Town Centre is fairly limited. It’s mostly Low Density Residential (R2), with a Local Centre (E1) zone near Riverstone Station, and just a handful of areas for Public Recreation (RE1).

But the new Riverstone Town Centre Planning Proposal (see Figure 2) brings major changes to land use. The revised rezoning introduces a greater mix of residential densities, from R2 Low, R3 Medium, and R4 High Density Residential. Of these, the High Density Residential zone (R4) takes up the largest portion, which will allow 8 to 15-storey buildings.

There’s also a clear increase in open spaces, with the Public Recreation (RE1) zone expanding near the Riverstone railway line and along parts of Garfield Street. This supports the master plan’s focus on liveability and green infrastructure. Meanwhile, the area surrounding Riverstone Station is reserved for more Infrastructure (SP2) use, aligning with the overall goal of making it a key transport hub.

These proposed changes reflect the NSW Government’s broader vision to support Riverstone’s future growth, improve housing diversity, and attract new investment into the area.

How the Riverstone Town Centre Rezoning May Affect Your Property

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia (2018), zoning changes can greatly influence land value, especially when they allow for more intensive development.

The proposed changes in the Riverstone Town Centre Planning Proposal, could affect how local properties can be used, developed, and valued. So if you own a property in the area, here’s how the Riverstone Town Centre development may affect you:

1. Change in allowable use

If your property is currently zoned Low Density Residential (R2), it may soon be reclassified to Medium (R3) or even High Density Residential (R4). That shift opens the door to a wider range of development options. For example, land that was previously limited to single homes could now support townhouses or apartments. This gives you far more flexibility for future use or redevelopment.

2. Increase in development potential

With the proposed zoning changes, you may be able to build higher-density housing, mixed-use buildings, or larger-scale developments. If you own property in the area, this could be your chance to subdivide or redevelop to maximise your returns.

3. Potential surge in land and building values

When your land is rezoned from low to high-density residential, it often becomes more valuable, which increases the market value of that land. Take Penrith as an example: when properties on the north side of Derby Street were rezoned to High Density Residential (R4), allowing six-storey developments, the property values jumped to $1,500–$1,900 per square metre. While properties on the south side, which were limited to Medium Density (R3) or two-storey developments, values were only around $900–$1,000 per square metre. (Jones, 2016).

4. Proximity to key infrastructure becomes more important

In any rezoning, proximity to key infrastructure like transport hubs can be powerful, and Riverstone Town Centre is no different. So if you own a property near Riverstone Station, George Street, and the proposed open spaces, it may have huge potential to become a hotspot. Why? Easy access to transport, walkability, and future amenities make these areas more liveable and more valuable.

5. Flood resilience planning may boost long-term demand

With the revised proposal placing major consideration on flood management, properties in newly designed, flood-resilient zones may not only be safer but also become more attractive to buyers, renters, and investors. Also, as climate risk plays a bigger role in property decisions, flood-resilient neighbourhoods may see stronger and more consistent demand over time.

How to Stay Ahead of the Riverstone Town Centre Rezoning: Quick Tips for Property Owners and Investors

While the final plan for the Riverstone Town Centre rezoning is still in the works, you don’t have to sit back and wait. If you own a property in the area or plan to invest, now’s a good time to stay informed and make smart moves early. That way, you can maximise your returns and lower the risk.

• Stay informed and involved
  Keep an eye on updates and community consultations via the NSW planning portal. This can give you valuable insight, especially if your property may be reclassified or affected by future development.
• Talk to the experts early
  Don’t wait for the rezoning to be locked in before getting advice. A professional and reliable valuer like Independent Property Valuations can help you make sense of what the changes could mean for your property’s best use, development potential, or market value.
• Hold off on major decisions until zoning is final
  Making decisions too soon, like selling your property before the zoning plan is final, can backfire. You might miss out on added value or run into zoning issues later. Take your time, and make sure you have the right information.

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