“Imagine poultry and vegetable farms, sprawling where Oakhurst now stands.” That’s right. Today, we’re exploring Oakhurst. This suburb of Sydney wasn’t always residential. Its history is surprisingly recent. Oakhurst sits 46 kilometers west of Sydney’s central business district. It’s part of the City of Blacktown.
Back in the mid-20th century, this land was rural. Chickens clucked and vegetables grew. But in 1981, things changed. The NSW State Government rezoned the area for housing. Landcom, the Land Commission of NSW, stepped in. They started developing land bounded by Jersey Road, Daniels Road, Cook Road and Rooty Hill Road North.
Initially, the development was part of Plumpton. Landcom called it “The Oaks Estate.” This name honored a historical residence on Hyatts Road. To attract buyers, Landcom built an Exhibition Village. It was located at Bancroft Street and Darkon Place. Prospective homeowners could view different house models. Julie McGregor and Dave Gibson, famous TV personalities, starred in Landcom’s advertisement.
By 1985, most of “The Oaks Estate” was complete. The NSW Geographical Name Board decided to name the suburb “Hassall.” This honored Reverend Thomas Hassall. He founded Western Sydney’s first Sunday School. But residents weren’t happy. They felt the name was irrelevant and invited ridicule. They wanted the suburb to be named after Landcom’s estate: “The Oaks.”
In their first act as a community, residents lobbied for a name change. They succeeded. The suburb was officially named Oakhurst. However, those living west of Daniels Road were disappointed. Their part of “The Oaks Estate” became part of Hebersham. Hebersham was a public housing community. They weren’t included in Oakhurst.
Later, another estate was built north of Oakhurst. This was Hassall Grove. Cook Road couldn’t handle the increased traffic. Luxford Road was extended and connected to Cook Road. This created a better thoroughfare. Developers agreed that the new road would be the boundary between Oakhurst and Hassall Grove.
Some houses originally part of Hassall Grove became part of Oakhurst. These were along Southee Circuit, Bancroft Street and other places. Sections of Cook Road not used in the Luxford Road extension were transformed. Lawns and children’s play equipment replaced the road.
Today, Oakhurst offers convenient shopping. Plumpton Marketplace is the local shopping center. It features major retailers like Woolworths and BigW. For local produce and services, residents visit Hassall Grove Plaza. It has a green grocer, bakery, and other shops. Education is also a priority here. Richard Johnson Anglican School serves students from kindergarten to year 12.
Sports enthusiasts can join the Plumpton/Oakhurst Soccer Club. Their home ground is at Hanna Reserve. Oakhurst also holds a piece of history. The Blacktown Native Institution Site is heritage-listed.
So, from poultry farms to a thriving suburb, Oakhurst has a unique story. It’s a story of community action and growth. A place called Oakhurst, a testament to how a community shapes its own identity.