<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From early brick quarry grit and grime to a new green space, there's been a transformation for the better at Frenchs Forest in Sydney's north.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The change includes the opening of the Brickpit Reserve, a 1.3-hectare natural oasis, alongside plans for a new town centre and residential developments.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The reserve, named in recognition of William Hews, who established a brick-making operation in the area centuries ago, is now a dedicated recreation zone. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/qantas-cyber-attack-additional-information-impacted-customers-email/9dddb6d7-0df5-4c23-b79d-e4f60c44fc8a"><strong><span>Qantas cyberhack worse than some customers were first told</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This used to be a quarry where clay was taken and made into bricks back in the 1800s," Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In addition to the reserve, a new Frenchs Forest town centre is planned for next to Northern Beaches Hospital, which will include 1000 new homes. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Surrounding areas have also been rezoned to accommodate low to medium-density housing, with one 124-unit block recently approved. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/frenchs-forest-transformation/8de602d9-6d5c-4b0c-adb9-50bf2dc0862d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This area is going to expand significantly… we're going to see the demographic shift a lot," Wakehurst MP Michael Regan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We've got nurses and teachers… so affordable housing needs to be part of the mix," he added</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The existing main shopping centre is also slated for a $34 million upgrade, including a new intersection. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're removing the outdated carpark... bringing in a beautiful outdoor dining precinct and adding hundreds of parking spaces," Anthony El-Hazouri from Revelop said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>