City of Sydney planning panel approves student accommodation development on Broadway, Glebe

Sydneysiders regularly whinge about proposed housing developments being too big. But you’ll rarely find locals lamenting the fact a new building is not twice as tall.

An artist’s impression of the development.

Complaints about the height of housing developments aren’t exactly unusual.

But you’ll rarely find locals lamenting the fact a new building is not “double the height”.

Yet that is what happened in the case of a $27.9m student accommodation project in central Sydney, where locals claim there is a “dire need” for such developments.

A City of Sydney local planning panel this week green lit the construction of a 120-room “co-living” building on Broadway in Glebe.

The development is also set to include, among other things, 128 bicycle parking spaces, retail and commercial spaces, and a gym.

The development is valued at $27.9m.

Buildings currently on the site will be demolished to make way for the seven- to eight-storey student accommodation development.

The council received 16 submissions, with 15 in favour.

One local, Nick Roucek, wrote that projects like this were overdue.

“I live locally, went to university here, and work nearby and support this proposal,” he said.

“There has always been a shortage of student housing, which persists and is likely much worse now.

“My only critique is it could be double the height and still be fine.

“Why not aim to supply even more housing in a housing crisis?”

The project includes 120 “co-living” rooms.

Locals have thrown their backing behind the project

Another submission indicated the desire of some locals to push the building’s height well beyond seven or eight storeys.

“My only concern is that it should be taller,” the submission said, suggesting “15 floors+”.

That sentiment was echoed by another submission, also made by a person whose name was redacted.

“The inner west is in dire need of new housing stock to ease the housing crisis.

“This development (which should be at least 15 storeys or more) will help to ease the housing crisis and potentially lower rents in the surrounding area once it is completed.”

Located next to the Broadway Shopping Centre, the development will be situated near both the University of Sydney and UTS.

A City of Sydney spokesman said this would not only benefit students but hopefully also attract international attention.

“The international student community plays a key role in growing and strengthening Sydney’s global connections,” he said.

“However, we recognise that students may struggle to find affordable housing.

“We have several resources in place to educate and inform students on their rights and responsibilities when accessing.”