By Elizabeth Frias

Spacious backyards, sweeping views of rolling green hills and occasional wildlife visitors make Kurmond an appealing place to call home. Less than two hours north-west of Sydney’s CBD, the semi-rural Hawkesbury village is home to nearly 900 residents.

Its landscape reflects a rich agricultural history, with surrounding farms once producing milk, beef, lamb, fruit and vegetables. The wider district’s farming heritage stretches back to Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s establishment of five towns on 3 December 1810: Richmond, Windsor, Pitt Town, Wilberforce and Castlereagh.

Kurmond’s landmarks also include the publishing operations associated with Rural Press and Australian Community Media, whose production and administration offices sit “up the hill” along Bells Line of Road.

The road is a busy route for locals, tourists and day-trippers travelling through North Richmond towards Bilpin’s apple orchards, Mount Tomah’s botanic garden and Mount Wilson. It also connects travellers with destinations further west, including Lithgow’s historic Zig Zag Railway.

For residents, however, the village’s appeal sits alongside growing concerns about traffic and development.

A second bridge over the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond is planned to ease congestion and improve flood evacuation access as the region’s population grows.

Local MP Susan Templeman described the project in May as “a huge milestone” for the Hawkesbury community. The Australian and NSW governments are contributing to the $658 million project, which includes connecting road improvements.

Traffic is already a constant presence in Kurmond. During a Monday morning observation lasting less than 10 minutes, at least 50 cars, utes and trucks passed the corner of Yeomans Road, near Colo High School, which has more than 1,000 students.

It is this busy setting that has prompted residents to oppose proposed McDonald’s and KFC drive-through restaurants nearby.

“It will be a danger to the students from nearby Colo High School,” said Robbie Dunn, a former student whose family moved to the area from Manly. He now owns local real estate agency Belle Properties.

“Many much younger students may not be mature enough to judge or be patient enough to wait for the traffic light to change or likely to rush to catch up to their friends, [I’m afraid] someone will likely be hit [by a passing vehicle].”

Dunn said at least 30,000 motorists use the road daily. He believes installing traffic lights near the proposed restaurants on the downhill section would create “an accident hot spot and unnecessary hazard [to locals]”.

He has supported the Smart Growth Alliance, a residents’ group opposing the proposed $15 million development on Yeomans Road. More than 200 Kurmond locals signed a petition against the proposal, which includes the two fast-food restaurants beside a childcare centre.

Dunn said residents welcomed the childcare centre, recognising the need for the service. Their concern centres on the restaurants’ location and whether the road safety issues raised with Hawkesbury City Council are being adequately addressed.

The application is before the NSW Land and Environment Court. Commissioner Clare Swan attended an on-site conciliation conference on Wednesday, 9 September, to hear from the parties and residents.

Dunn said two cars bumped during the gathering after the driver in front slowed down, apparently wondering what was happening.

A court spokesman said the proceedings concerning development application DA0060/26 were subject to the confidentiality provisions applying to a Section 34 conciliation conference.

A council spokesman also cited those confidentiality requirements and confirmed Council had submitted its statement of facts and contentions to the court.

On its website, the Alliance says it is not against development in the village, but supports “development in the right places, at the right scale, in villages with the right infrastructure to support, not on rural land set aside for farming”.

A further hearing is expected, with opposing residents to be notified so they can participate.

“The proposed location would be a scar on our rural landscape, particularly with a 24-hour fast food restaurant, that is not going to benefit our community or improve the rural appeal of our area,” Dunn said.

He plans to attend with fellow residents and reiterate that they recognise Kurmond is growing but believe a more suitable location should be considered.

The Alliance says the interaction between through traffic and vehicles entering and leaving drive-through outlets is central to its concerns.

“Drive-through outlets generate constant slowing, queuing and turning traffic. That mix of high-speed through traffic and stop-start local movement is a safety risk for everyone who uses this road every day,” its statement said