Draft Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan proposes public domain improvements include a new urban plaza, more trees, active transport links and shareways.

Buildings of up to 12 storeys next to the railway station are proposed under the Draft Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan.

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'Opportunity sites' along Belmore Road including two council-owned sites close to Riverwood Station could accommodate future 12-storey developments.

Proposed public domain improvements include a new urban plaza, proposed trees, active transport links and shareways.

Objectives of the draft Master Plan are:

- A consolidated town centre with a stronger Belmore Road spine, supported by active frontages, widened footpaths, and upgraded public domain to reinforce Riverwood as a vibrant local hub,

- Concentrating new residential density close to Riverwood Station and along Belmore Road to support transport-oriented development and reinforce the Local Centre as a focal point for housing and activity,

- A fine-grained built form with clear height transitions, including lower street-wall heights along Belmore Road and increased heights focused around Riverwood Station to support growth while maintaining a human-scaled main street.

The draft Plan includes the potential to deliver approximately 2,300 new dwellings and an increase of 2,423sqm non-residential floor space over the next 10-20 years.

The plan is in response to the NSW Government's housing reforms including the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy (LMR).

"However, these reforms including the Low to Mid-Rise Housing (LMR) did not include a framework for infrastructure delivery, public domain improvements, transport upgrades, or community facility planning. Without local strategic planning, this risks uncoordinated growth that places pressure on existing services," the council summary of the Draft Plan states

The draft plan proposes changes to zone, floor space ratio and height of buildings to two council-owned sites on Coleridge Street and Webb Street located close to Riverwood Station and Belmore Road.

The draft Public Domain Plan proposes a series of key public domain improvements, including a new central public plaza north of the railway line, ranging from 850sqm to 3,000 sqm created through the gradual conversion of roadway and parking areas into high-amenity public open space.

It also proposes streetscape upgrades along Belmore Road, enhancing the existing wide footpaths with additional tree planting, shade, and opportunities for placemaking, including outdoor dining and improved pedestrian amenity.

There would be improved connections to regional open spaces, including Salt Pan Creek, through enhanced pedestrian and cycling links and the creation of a landscaped shareway between Cairns and Hardwicke Streets.

Future development within the Riverwood Master Plan study area would be subject to the council's Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme (AHCS) which enables the council to levy contributions on new residential development to support the delivery of affordable rental housing for very low to moderate income households.

The current draft AHCS proposes a requirement of a two per cent affordable rental housing contribution for all new residential flat building and shop top housing to enable affordable rental housing to be provided in perpetuity.

The Draft Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan will go to the next meeting of Georges River Council to be endorsed for public exhibition.