Bonnyrigg Housing Estate: New proposal to add 500 dwellings at cost of $225 million
An old housing estate in western Sydney is set to undergo a massive overhaul adding 500 dwellings and increase building heights at the site as part of the $225 million project.
Fairfield
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Bonnyrigg Housing Estate is set to undergo a $225 million transformation if a proposal to add 500 new dwellings, taking the total to 3000 across the 80ha site, is approved.
A modification request had been lodged with the NSW Planning and Environment Department to increase the number of dwellings by 20 per cent and increase building heights near Bonnyrigg town centre to between four and six storeys, and up to four storeys in the southeast of the site, on the corner of Humphries and Cabramatta roads.
The NSW Land and Housing Corporation, which owns the site bounded by Humphries, Cabramatta and Edensor roads and Bonnyrigg Ave, also wants to expand public open space by 0.91ha to 13.04ha and change the range of housing types so the number of apartments and mixed-use buildings would be increased.
Redevelopment plans for Bonnyrigg Housing Estate, which adjoins the Bonnyrigg town centre, were originally approved in 2009.
First developed in the 1970s and 1980s with a mix of 833 social houses and 88 private homes, the estate is being transformed over stages, with the first five already completed and 548 homes delivered.
A Land and Housing Corporation spokeswoman said work to deliver another 142 dwellings for stages six and seven was underway, with the remaining stages to be completed over the next 15 years.
Since the original $460 million redevelopment plan was approved, four modification requests have been lodged with the department, with the scope of the project ultimately expanding.
The additional homes proposed would cost $225 million to deliver and be largely funded through the sale of the 350 private homes created, the spokeswoman said.
The remaining 150 dwellings will be for social housing.
“The LAHC is working to create safer, stronger communities that support society’s most vulnerable by increasing the availability of social and low cost private housing and connecting them with essential services such as schools and public transportation,” the spokeswoman said.
The redevelopment of the estate will improve liveability for tenants in an area of high demand, she said.
“This new housing will be located near transport, parks, services and facilities, to improve overall tenant experience.”
But the proposed changes have also sparked concerns over the availability of open space and amenities to cater for new residents.
A Fairfield Council spokesman said the council made a formal submission last September highlighting its position.
“Council raised concerns that the roads are too small, and the lack of open spaces given the increase in density that they have proposed,” the spokesman said.
The council was “particularly keen” to ensure the development included an adequate amount of quality public open space, community facilities and carparking opportunities, he said.
“Council is waiting for a formal response from the LAHC. Ultimately, as the project is designated as a State Significant Project, the development will be determined by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.”