Major developer building plans for Sydney’s inner west
Sydney’s inner west is undergoing substantial change. Here are nine building projects and proposals which could have repercussions for the community.
Sydney’s inner west is undergoing substantial change. Here are nine building projects and proposals which could have repercussions for the community.
MARRICKVILLE METRO
If you live around Marrickville, there is a good chance this shopping centre expansion will see more people driving in and out of your neighbourhood.
Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre will have more shops and later trading hours after its redevelopment plans were approved late last year.
AMP, which owns the centre, has permission for two levels of shops at the Edinburgh Rd site, an additional level of shops on the Victoria Rd site, and 528 more parking spaces.
There will be 12 cafes and restaurants on the Edinburgh Rd site trading until midnight and a pedestrian bridge over Smidmore St.
The 12 cafes and restaurants would face Smidmore St and form a `main street’ shopping strip.
Work is under way.
BURWOOD RSL
They are not making RSL clubs like they used to, or at least not in Burwood.
The Burwood RSL at Shaftesbury Rd recently gained concept approval for a new home — an 18-storey tower at George St.
The club’s new home will include a hotel, “sky bar” and 600-seat theatre.
Club management say the organisation has outgrown its current premises and the new one will provide more parking and be closer to the train station.
The club will file more development applications for construction.
Burwood RSL has two sister clubs — Club Burwood on Burwood Rd and the Croydon Park Club.
TIGERS SITE, ROZELLE
Ti-gers! Ti-gers! The Wests Tigers have made a good start to the NRL season, and there remains hope of resurrecting the Tigers leagues club at Rozelle.
Developer Heworth has plans for three towers of up to 12 storeys at the site, which would include shops and 173 homes.
Heworth is going through the development process with the Inner West Council.
The developer is required to have a leagues club for the Tigers at the site as per an earlier court ruling.
While the Balmain Leagues Club has been in voluntary administration, Wests Ashfield is close to an amalgamation deal which would ensure Balmain Leagues continues.
BURWOOD PLAZA
Burwood Plaza has for a long time looked like the poor cousin to nearby Westfield Burwood. That could be about to change.
Developer Holdmark wants to build five towers of up to 42-storeys at the site which it says would provide 1,100 homes, a 100-room hotel, offices and shops.
Burwood Council has so far supported the plans, which a government-appointed planning panel will need to approve.
The developer would provide a park which would replace the council carpark on Wynne Ave.
It would also provide the council with three levels of underground parking, and funds for public facilities.
METRO WEST TRAIN STATIONS
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has pledged work will start next year on building Sydney Metro West train stations, part of a fledgling underground network.
Most of the stations proposed for this line are in the inner west — Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and The Bays Precinct.
The government has promised the train line will provide travel between the city and Parramatta in 20 minutes.
However it is the stations’ locations — which are yet to be confirmed — that may be of more interest to inner west residents.
While underground stations will not be as disruptive as above-ground ones, they will still have ramifications for neighbours.
High rise tower plans have accompanied some Sydney Metro station efforts, which could make some residents nervous.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the government will be working with residents to try and get the balance right.
UNITING CHURCH, BURWOOD
A church with major development plans? Believe it.
The Burwood Croydon Uniting Church is in the heart of the town centre on Burwood Rd, and close to the train station.
The Uniting Church has lodged $108 million plans to redevelop the site with a 25-storey units and office tower.
This tower would include a 120-place childcare centre, medical centre, church office and shops.
Student housing and shops would be provided in a second building of about eight storeys, while the preschool hall (two storeys) would be renovated.
Rev Stephen Matthews said the church was not a developer seeking profit, and the project would include affordable housing, a preschool, supportive employment and student housing.
The number of homes and parking spaces could not yet be provided as the application is a concept one.
The Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel will decide on the application.
LORDS RD, LEICHARDT
This proposal for 67-73 Lords Rd seeks to build units at what has been an industrial site.
Developer Platino Properties has reduced the number of units it is seeking from 315 to 235 after the state government rejected its last attempt.
The amount of space allocated for business has been increased by 500 sqm to 3000 sqm.
The tallest building would stand 30m.
A spokeswoman for Platino said some tenants, including the art school, had discussed the possibility of returning to the site once the redevelopment was complete.
The Inner West Council is assessing the proposal, which will require state government approval.
PRECINCT 75, ST PETERS
The developer which owns the 1.5ha Precinct 75 has been trying for some time to gain community support for its redevelopment plans.
About 70 creative businesses operate in the old, industrial buildings.
Businesses would continue to trade there under the rezoning plans, as well as residents living in unit buildings of up to eight storeys.
Owner Paul Apostles said the plans would provide more space for small businesses.
However neighbours are concerned about the proposed building heights and traffic consequences.
They have gained support from the Inner West Council, which has voted against endorsing the plans.
However it is the Department of Planning which will make the decision.
As with most planning matters, refusal would not prohibit any development.
The owner could change the plans and submit them again.
EAST CARRINGTON RD, MARRICKVILLE
Mirvac’s vision for this industrial site has a long way to go before it comes to fruition, but management is determined to see it through.
The developer in 2017 lodged rezoning plans to build 28-storey towers and 2,616 units.
The response was vocal opposition and a street rally of about 1,000 people.
Mirvac officials later decided to revise their plans.
The developer is still to submit these and is liaising with a community reference group.
Mirvac’s general manager of residential development NSW Toby Long said the new approach would be inspired by the tramsheds development at Harold Park, where heritage buildings were refurbished.
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