Marymount Mercy Centre
Marymount Mercy Centre
The Sisters have owned the site at 36 David Road in Castle Hill since 1958 and opened the Marymount Mercy Centre in 1965 – it is a property that is very dear to the hearts of the Congregation.
Marymount originally opened as a Novitiate for the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta – providing a dedicated space for young Sisters undergoing their training.
Over the past 50 years, the use of the property expanded greatly and has become a spirituality centre offering programs for priests, religious and lay persons. It is estimated that more than 2,000 people have benefited from the New Life Programs alone – this includes a multicultural audience drawn from across the globe.
Marymount has been home to Sisters serving local Catholic Schools in Castle Hill, North Rocks and Carlingford.
Marymount has a long history of which the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta are very proud, and it holds great significance to the Sisters individually and as a collective.
However, as our Congregation members age, we are no longer able to maintain the property or run our Life Programs onsite. For three years we have attempted, to no avail, to find a domestic or international partner to continue a ministry on site.
We have therefore made the difficult but necessary decision to relocate from the property and in due course to offer it for sale. The proceeds will be reinvested in Ministry and Mission.
Before offering the site for sale, the Sisters have lodged a Development Application with Hornsby Shire Council. The DA seeks approval for a 64 lot subdivision consistent with Council’s Environmental and Development Plans, and sensitive to the surrounding residential areas; and also the gifting of the onsite turpentine forest to the Hornsby Shire Council with funds for maintenance in perpetuity.
History
- 1958: Sisters of Mercy Parramatta purchase the Marymount Mercy Centre site.
- 1965: Marymount Mercy Centre opens as a Novitiate for the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta.
- 1970s: The venue housed the Spiritual Renewal Program called ‘Kairos’ which was initiative by the Congregations of Religious Institutes.
- 1983: The Sisters commenced the Spiritual Renewal Program for religious – starting with 3 and 6 month programs called New Life Programs.
- 2008: Commencement of a new program called Journeying with New Members – a program for religious, priests and lay men and women.
- 2014: A program for religious approaching Perpetual Profession was introduced.
- 2019: New Life Programs ceased.
- 2020: The Marymount Mercy Centre closed.
The Turpentine Forest
Around a third (2.7 hectares) of the 8.8 hectare site in Castle Hill is occupied by forest which was once part of the Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.
The Sisters of Mercy Parramatta have long committed to living gently on the land. Under their care, the forest has tripled in size since in 1958. It is now home to birds and other native animals, but also contains many threatened species such the Powerful Owl and as the turpentine tree.
The forest is classified as an ‘endangered ecological community’ under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
The Sisters want to ensure the forest is protected for the local community in perpetuity.
Development Application
The property is currently zoned residential for a standard subdivision.
The Sisters have lodged a Development Application with Hornsby Shire Council. The DA seeks approval for a 64 lot subdivision consistent with Council’s Environmental and Development Plans, and sensitive to the surrounding residential areas; and also the gifting of the onsite turpentine forest to the Hornsby Shire Council with funds for maintenance in perpetuity.
The DA serves two purposes – an attempt to influence future development of the site beyond the Sisters’ ownership, and to separate and quarantine the forest so its protection is guaranteed.
The Sisters of Mercy Parramatta have long committed to living gently on the land. Under our care, the forest has tripled in size since we arrived in 1958. It is now home to birds and other native animals, but also contains many threatened species such as the Powerful Owl and the turpentine tree. This is a special place that we want to be a legacy of our Ministry in Castle Hill.
Unfortunately, the current COVID-19 lockdown prevents us from briefing our neighbours in person which had been our hope. Instead, we have sought to provide additional information here. If you have any further questions, please contact Sister Mary-Louise Petro, Congregation Leader, via congregationleader@parrasom.org.au. You can also view the Development application on the Hornsby Shire Council’s website using the following link: Find an Application (nsw.gov.au) and typing in the Development Application Number: DA/1022/2021
Neighbours will receive a letter from Council when the Development Application documents have been uploaded and there will be a period allocated for formal feedback.
Common Questions and Answers
Why are you selling the land?
For more than 60 years, the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta have been the caretakers of the Centre, its land and the on-site heritage forest. It is a property of tremendous significance to the Congregation.
However, as our Congregation members age, we are no longer able to maintain the property or run our Life Programs onsite. For three years we have attempted, to no avail, to find a domestic or international partner to continue a ministry on site.
We have therefore made the difficult but necessary decision to relocate from the property and in due course to offer it for sale. The proceeds will be reinvested in Ministry and Mission.
What will the proceeds of the sale go towards?
The proceeds will be invested in Ministry and Mission – targeting particular areas of need close to the Sisters’ hearts.
Does your DA guarantee the forest won’t be turned into housing sites?
If approved, then yes it would. The DA seeks approval for a 64 lot subdivision consistent with Council’s Environmental and Development Plans, and sensitive to the surrounding residential areas; and also the gifting of the onsite turpentine forest to the Hornsby Shire Council with funds for maintenance in perpetuity.
The DA serves two purposes – an attempt to influence future development of the site beyond the Sisters’ ownership, and to separate and quarantine the forest so its protection is guaranteed.
What about the rest of the land – how can you control over development?
The remainder of the land is currently zoned for residential development and will be sold by the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta. The purpose of the Development Application currently before Hornsby Shire Council, is to influence future development by seeking approval for a 64 lot subdivision consistent with Council’s Environmental and Development Plans and sensitive to the surrounding residential areas.
If approved, we would hope this would influence any development by a future owner.
Is there an opportunity to submit feedback on the Development Application?
Of course. Neighbours will receive a letter from the Council when the Development Application has been uploaded onto their website, and there will be a period allocated for formal feedback.
Further information
For further information please contact Sister Mary-Louise Petro on congregationleader@parrasom.org.au