Fears units will compromise Parramatta Female Factory heritage value

Sydney’s second city has another heritage battle on its hands with fears an apartment complex will ‘compromise’ the historic value of the Female Factory and jeopardise its chance to gain UNESCO status.

Parramatta Female Factory at North Parramatta could receive UNESCO listing but there are fears a unit complex will compromise that. Picture: John Appleyard

North Parramatta has another heritage battle on its hands with fears a unit complex will “compromise” the historic value of the Female Factory and jeopardise its chance to gain UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Developers Ceerose bought a 8921sq m parcel of land at the corner of O’Connell and Albert streets at North Parramatta for $30m in 2021 and plan to build more than 370 units on the site over three buildings that are 30m, 53m and 77m, with the latter peaking at 22 storeys.

In May, Parramatta Local Planning Panel unanimously supported a jump in heights to 77m for the tallest tower.

The size of the development has sparked a public campaign opposing the project.

Parramatta Female Factory Friends, the Parramatta branch of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group oppose the development.

Artist's impression of a proposed apartment complex for 31 O’Connell St and 9 Albert St North Parramatta, near the Parramatta Female Factory.

Parramatta Female Factory Friends president Gay Henricksen said the issue was about “respecting the women”.

“We acknowledge that development needs to happen in a current state of things and the challenges facing people,’’ she said.

“However, when you’re so close to something of world significance like the Female Factory then heritage values should take precedence.’’

Parramatta Female Factory Friends president Gay Henricksen.

Parramatta federal Labor MP Andrew Charlton said the proposed development was too close to the factory and compromised its heritage value.

In September, the notorious factory – which is more than 200 years old – was added to Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage tentative list but must sit there for 12 months.

Mr Charlton fears the development will harm the bid to secure the UNESCO listing for the factory.

“For us, given the significance of the site and the risks to heritage from some of the proposals and plans for land around the site, we want to get it (the listing) done as soon as possible,’’ he said.

“For me, this particular proposal is not in keeping with the area. My main focus has been on getting the application to move forward.’’

The suburb is at the centre of the Minns government housing reforms and the

17-hectare Parramatta’s Church Street North precinct will be unzoned to support apartment blocks up to 30 storeys high.

Labor MPs Donna Davis, Andrew Charlton and Tanya Plibersek at Parramatta Female Factory in September 2023 when they announced tentative UNESCO World Heritage listing for the precinct.

Mr Charlton said he backed more housing along Church St but residents would “need a liveability space’’ and the heritage precinct where the factory stands should provide green space.

North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group president Phil Russo objected to the units.

“If we don’t retain heritage it’s gone forever and the history of Parramatta is so vital to the birth of the nation,’’ he said.

The landmark sandstone Parramatta Female Factory was a prison, workhouse and hospital for female convicts who arrived in Sydney in the 1820s and 1830s without a job or a husband.

The government provided food and shelter in exchange for labour but women endured harsh conditions and the threat of severe punishment.

It is estimated one in 10 Australians have an ancestor who was at the female factory.

“A huge number of people can claim their background to females that came from that female factory,’’ Mr Russo said.

“That’s astounding.’’

Friends of Female Factory in 2019. Picture: Julian Andrews

The planning proposal is expected to go before Parramatta Council for gateway determination in July before the state government will ultimately determine the project.

Ceerose was contacted for comment.

Last year, a development application for the construction of a nursery with 16 parking lots was lodged on the site.

The NSW Land And Housing Corporation sold the land, which is next to the Southern Cross Care Marian and Lillian Wells nursing homes, to developers Ceerose.

The land is near the Parramatta North Urban Transformation Precinct. The 26-hectare precinct comprises government land stretching from Westmead to North Parramatta and allows for 2800 apartments, 20,000sq m of commercial floor space, a Sydney University campus, 4000sq m of retail floor space and 7.1 hectares of public open space.

Originally published as Fears units will compromise Parramatta Female Factory heritage value