The Harris Farm Turramurra plans have been endorsed by the Department of Planning – plans including building a megafarm ‘shopping experience’. But the massive project has been met with a mix of reactions. Locals opposed to the development say it will increase traffic congestion and overtake smaller businesses.
Plans for a Harris Farm in Turramurra show a ‘megafarm’ that would include a barn, an on-site fruit orchard, homestead and hanging hydroponic herb gardens, plus a food market, fishmonger, cafe and underground basement car parking. Sounds pretty impressive!
But not everyone is welcoming the plans for the ‘shopping experience’ complex, with some locals concerned the build will bring traffic to the residential area and threaten the livelihood of the Eastern Road Shops.
Harris Farm Turramurra: The Plans
The Farm
The Farm at Harris Farm aims to create relaxed atmosphere with the feel of a home paddock on a country property. It would include an area for local fresh food shopping that features :
- a hanging hydroponic herb and vegetable garden, a café, nursery and florist
- an orchard for families to relax and enjoy themselves under fruit trees
- a native garden to increase the amount of native plants on the property and provide privacy to our direct neighbours
- Three low-rise buildings on the site – the conservatory, the homestead and the barn
A basement for customer parking – including customers from other shops on Eastern Road, with all loading, recycling rooms and plant and equipment located below ground.
The Conservatory and the Orchard
A conservatory (greenhouse/sun room) is envisaged to be built on the northern side of the property.
- The conservatory will be surrounded by a 25 fruit tree orchard, a giant lavender planting box and the native garden.
- The conservatory will be a combination of a café and florist with an outdoor area for a nursery and café seating.
- The orchard will be a combination of grassed areas and fruit trees and will present as an open area for the community to relax and enjoy like a public park.
The Homestead
The homestead will be the centrepiece of the Farm.
- The building is designed as a grand Australian country farmhouse with large covered verandas.
- The Harris Farm Markets store will be based inside the homestead.
- A hanging hydroponic garden will be located in the pitch of the roof of the homestead, visible from within the building.
The Barn
- The barn will be situated on the corner of Eastern Road and Tennyson Avenue.
- The barn will comprise two independent fresh food shops that will be separate to the Harris Farm Markets store.
- One store will be a fresh fish market and the other will be a hot chicken shop.
The Opposition
Many locals have voiced concerns over the impact of the development on traffic, trading hours and the threat to surrounding shops.
Plans show the demolition of the Honeysuckle plant nursery and petrol station at 105 Eastern Road and 45-47 Tennyson Ave.
A previous proposition was raised to build an Aldi on the site, but with support of the community, the proposal was rejected by Ku-ring-gai Council and then the State Government.
Residents opposed the build and redevelopment plans for an Aldi on the site in 2015
