Why major Sydney developer wants this suburb line moved
A developer wants suburb boundaries moved so its 39-storey residential tower will be situated in a better known area.
National
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The team behind a significant western Sydney development is urging the local government to change suburb lines so its 39-story, 331-apartment build will sit in a better known area.
A proposed boundary adjustment between Harris Park and Parramatta would see an ALAND development, which currently sits in Harris Park, incorporated into the boundary of Paramatta.
And City of Parramatta councillors appear keen to give it serious consideration.
A report by the senior project officer of the council’s Place Services recommended that the council refuse the developers’ request for the boundary change.
The recommendation on the March 13 agenda read: “That Council refuse the request from the developers … (ALAND) … for Council to commence the boundary adjustment process to realign the suburb boundary between Parramatta and Harris Park to include properties north of Parkes Street, Harris Park.”
The council officers recommended the council refuse the request citing there was “no identified benefit” to the community or the council in realigning the boundary.
The recommendation also highlighted that the proposed change is contrary to the guidelines provided by the Geographical Names Board of NSW and would confuse property owners and businesses needing to change their addresses.
“The locality size of Harris Park (65 hectares) is already significantly less than the minimum locality size (100 hectares) provided by GNB, whilst the Parramatta locality covers 548 hectares,” the recommendation read.
“Altering the northern boundary of Harris Park would further reduce the footprint of the Harris Park locality by approximately 1000 square meters.”
An earlier proposal was rejected in September 2020, with officers describing the latest push as “essentially the same” though the latest included “some element” of public consultation.
However, on March 13, Parramatta councillors unanimously voted to defer a decision to consider residents’ views in favour of the change.
The development, Paramount on Parkes, already appears to be leaning into its Parramatta locality.
Listed on its website at “16 Parkes Street, Parramatta”, the 331-apartment development homepage reads: “Paramount on Parkes is located in the heart of Parramatta, Sydney’s 2nd CBD, just 5 minutes walk from the station.”
Off the plan, a one-bedroom apartment costs $585,000, while a two-bedroom apartment starts at $829,000, and a three-bedroom apartment starts at $1,125,000.
Harris Park, which has made a name for itself as Sydney’s ‘Little India’, is celebrated as a multicultural hub with 20 eateries and shops within its tiny boundary.
The latest census found the small neighbour of the Parramatta CBD has just 5,043 residents among 2,278 private dwellings.
Median property prices for a unit in Harris Park sit at $435,000, while Parramatta’s is at $600,000 – or $1,381,500 for houses.
If approved, it’s understood 373 existing Harris Park residents would be affected by ALAND’s request.
The issue was differed to the next council meeting on March 27.
ALAND has been approached for comment.
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Originally published as Why major Sydney developer wants this suburb line moved
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