Emerald Hills provides an opportunity to create a residential precinct distinguished by a balanced mix of sustainable land uses and liveable neighbourhoods, within the context of the employment, commercial activities and community services available within the Camden LGA, South West Growth Centre and the future Leppington Town Centre and railway station.

Development will consist of predominantly low density homes supported by local retail, commercial and community uses with associated employment opportunities. Development will be located within landscaped and natural settings and the character of the place will be derived from the integration of its high scenic values established by its distinctive creeks, hills and ridge top with new public domain areas. Emerald Hills will be highly accessible to pedestrians and urban design will minimise conflicts with vehicles. Development will provide safe and convenient pedestrian and cycle linkages to other areas within the site and surrounding places.

Homes on smaller housing sites will be located in areas of high amenity which are within walking distance of proposed bus routes, parks and playgrounds. The neighbourhood centre, sports oval and proposed primary school site will establish a vibrant community hub that meets the day to day needs of residents.

Stormwater management must be ecologically sustainable by using water quality control measures, which will relate strongly to the creek line corridors. Similarly, Emerald Hills will retain large areas of woodlands and rehabilitate new open space areas to enhance the contribution of the site to the prominent scenic quality of the edges of South Creek Valley.