$105m developments in the pipeline as Inner West Council passes planning approvals

OVER 285 new units have been approved between Ashfield and Lewisham, all within 1km from train stations, but peak Western Line services are approaching 200 per cent capacity.

Concept design for development at Liverpool Rd, Ashfield

PLANS for more high-rise development along the inner west rail line have residents asking the question: Can infrastructure keep up?

Five development approvals at Inner West Council’s latest meeting have paved the way for 287 new units between Ashfield and Lewisham.

They include an eight-storey tower on Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, and the next stage of the redevelopment of the Allied Mills and Summer Hill Flour Mill sites.

Concept design for development at Allied Mill site at Lewisham

The developments — all within 1km from train stations — are in line with state planning policies to increase housing supply along rail corridors.

But feedback from community consultation has shown impacts on local traffic, schools and an already “stretched” rail service are sticking points. It’s an assessment backed by Bureau of Transport Statistics figures, showing peak Western Line services are approaching 200 per cent capacity.

City Futures Research Centre researcher associate Laurence Troy said the pressing need for infrastructure could no longer be ignored.

“The State Government’s assumption is that existing infrastructure has the capacity to support more people, but there hasn’t been the corresponding funding,” he said. “When you look at the west and Bankstown rail corridors, they haven’t fundamentally changed over the last decade.

“There needs to be recognition that a more co-ordinated approach to planning policy is required.”

Commuters board a morning train at Ashfield Station. Peak Inner West lines services are approaching 200 per cent capacity.

The State Government says 664,000 new homes are needed in Sydney by 2031 to meet population growth.

Urban Development Institute of Australia’s NSW boss Stephen Albin said developments in proximity to transport links were the best solution to meeting demand.

“Sydney can’t keep spreading horizontally,” he said. “The only real answer is to get more density around rail stations and that means taller buildings.”

Inner West Council administrator Richard Pearson said it was up to the State Government to ensure transport and amenities could keep up.

“It’s difficult to increase capacity on very busy rail lines, but given the density in this area, it’s an issue I’ll be taking up with the State Government see what their forward planning is,” he said.

The surge in recent applications also includes the Ashmore Estate precinct in Erskineville, and multistorey developments in McGill St at Lewisham and Marrickville’s Illawarra Rd.

Inner West Council Administrator Richard Pearson sayas it is up to the State Government to make sure transport infrastructure keeps up with population growth.

Approved

98 units across nine storeys at Longsport St, Lewisham ($48.3 million)

28 apartments plus commercial spaces at 317-331 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield ($10.2 million)

Eight units across two storeys at 75 Milton St, Ashfield ($2.4 million)

Next-stage works for Summer Hill Flour Mill ($1.9 million)

18 units across three storeys at 23 Croydon St, Petersham ($6.1 million)

In the pipeline

80 units and commercial space across six storeys at 4 McGill St, Lewisham ($20.7 million)

27 units plus commercial space across five storeys at 2 Gladstone St, Newtown ($10.3 million)

21 units across six storeys at 401 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville ($5.5 million)