Billbergia Group reveals plans for six towers on prime waterfront site

A major developer has released plans plans to build almost 300 units on a prime block of land fronting the Parramatta River in a move local residents say could ‘dominate’ the waterfront skyline.

Almost 300 new apartments across six separate buildings are planned for the prominent waterfront site.

A major Sydney developer has released plans plans to build almost 300 units on a prime block of land fronting the Parramatta River site, in a move local residents say could ‘dominate’ the waterfront skyline.

Developer Billbergia Group has released new plans to construct six residential towers, classified as an ‘affordable housing development’, on the northern tip of the Rhodes peninsula next to the Parramatta River.

The project that would be permitted under new State Government planning laws that incentivise developers to build affordable housing.

Under the planning laws, the inclusion of affordable housing allows Billbergia to increase the permitted floor space ratio requirements by 30 per cent.

The development would be located at the site of a former warehouse on the northern tip of the Rhodes peninsula.

Billbergia has pledged to offer up to 15 per cent of the almost 300 residential units proposed in the development to be offered as ‘affordable housing’ for a minimum of 15 years.

Plans show the development would have six mixed use residential towers, ranging in height from 10 to 18 storeys tall.

Billbergia, in its plans, stated the new development – located on the site of a former warehouse – would help address housing targets in the Canada Bay Council area.

A concept photo of development plans for the site.

“The proposal will greatly help in delivering diverse and affordable housing in a highly strategic and accessible location,” the plans stated.

“It will also capitalise on the site’s interface with the Parramatta River, capturing waterfront views and providing quality publicly accessible space at the foreshore.”

The proposal has sparked opposition from some residents, including concerns the development could add more pressure on existing infrastructure including public transport.

A concept photo of the development

One submission also described the proposal as similar to the Blues Point Tower in McMahons Point facing with claims it could stand out like a sore thumb and “dominate” the waterfront skyline.

In another submission, resident Jeremy Zhu said Rhodes Station was already over capacity.

The strain on existing amenities has been fuelled by a development boom in Rhodes that has seen the suburb’s population increase from 743 residents in 2001 to 11,453 in 2021, Census figures show.

The development would have six buildings facing the Parramatta River.

“We are now already in a very high density suburb – more apartments will cause noise and congestion,” he said.

“The area is the only few areas left to have open space for the Rhodes community. More trees are wanted instead of more concrete blocks.”

Billbergia Group in a statement said the development site has also been identified as meeting the criteria for assessment under the Government’s recent housing reforms.

Features of the development include ground level retail shops, site links, a foreshore park and a promenade walk.

There would also be communal facilities and basement carparking underneath each of the new towers.

The proposal is in the early planning stages and has been referred to the Department of Planning for consideration.