Plans for a new pub and casino in the heritage village of Kurrajong Heights have been approved by the state's controversial planning panel, despite opposition from hundreds of residents and Hawkesbury Councillors.

The decision, backed by Hawkesbury Council staff, paves the way for developer Bashir Merhi to proceed with a two-story venue featuring a pub, a VIP gaming lounge with up to 22 poker machines, nine accommodation cabins, and a 255-patron capacity. The project also includes parking for 75 cars and extended trading hours. The developer does not have any experience building and running pubs and is expected to try to sell the project with the approved DA.

Residents began receiving emails from Hawkesbury Council today informing them of the approval. “At the Hawkesbury Local Planning Panel (HLPP) meeting dated 27 February 2025, the Panel resolved that the application be approved,” the email stated. The Notice of Determination is available on Council’s website..”

Although all Hawkesbury Councillors opposed the initial development application, the final decision rested with the Planning Panel. Council staff recommended approval, arguing in business papers that the proposal aligns with the Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan.

"Council considers that the proposed development has been developed in line with the key objectives of planning regulations and remains in the public interest," the report states.

However, community opposition was widespread, with more than 40 specific objections raised. Retired senior ecologist and Kurrajong Heights resident Nicola Trulock delivered a scathing critique of the project's supporting assessments at a planning panel meeting in February. Trulock, formerly a natural resource and interim bushfire management officer for the City of Parramatta Council, criticised the proposal for its significant omissions and inaccuracies.

She also pointed out that both the Social Impact Assessment and the Statement of Environmental Effects were prepared by Balma Projects Pty Ltd - the very company seeking approval for the project.

"The display of bias is not surprising when you learn that both reports were prepared by Balma Projects Pty Ltd, the applicant for the DA. This is a clear-cut example of conflict of interest. Why did Hawkesbury Council not insist that these reports be rectified and prepared by an independent consultant?" she said.

Residents' submissions raised concerns about poker machines, traffic congestion, tree removal, and the loss of Kurrajong Heights’ unique heritage. Yet, the Council’s report dismissed many of these concerns and suggested mitigation for others. Concerns about gambling were also dismissed, with the report claiming that gaming machines would require a separate Liquor and Gaming Authority application.

"The new DA is essentially a reworked version of the original proposal, with some modifications, but it remains a massive overdevelopment that is not compliant with the B1 zoning or the heritage requirements of Kurrajong Heights," Jeremy Braithwaite, leader of the Kurrajong Heights Heritage Committee, previously told the Hawkesbury Post.