Rhodes ferry terminal planned under $306 million development by Billbergia

A ten-year campaign to have a ferry terminal built in Rhodes could finally become a reality – but it comes with a catch.

A new ferry wharf could finally be built in Rhodes to keep up with the suburb’s population surge – but only if plans for the suburb’s tallest skyscraper are given the green light.

Developer Billbergia has released a $306 million proposal to build a 45 storey tower on a prominent waterfront site in Leeds St that would come complete with a new ferry wharf on the Parramatta River.

The 156m skyscraper would have 414 units and become the suburb’s tallest building – four metres taller than 34 Walker St currently under construction.

A concept plan of the new terminal.

The project would include funding for a $14.2 million ferry terminal with a covered walkway that would be gifted to Transport for NSW, operated by Harbour City Ferries and added to Sydney’s ferry network.

Billbergia – widely recognised as the peninsula’s biggest and most prominent developer – said the wharf would support the suburb’s population boom which Census data shows boomed almost tenfold from 1668 residents in 2006 to 11,906 at the last census in 2016.

“The wharf will be a public transport asset (and) the proposal provides an opportunity to deliver a waterfront public open space and a vibrant mixed use commercial and residential precinct,” Billbergia’s plans stated.

A concept plan of the skyscraper.

The location of the proposed terminal.

The 414-unit development would be built on the site of a former warehouse and include five levels of underground parking, public landscaping along the waterfront and a new sea wall.

Residents could also make use of a new bus service connecting the proposed wharf to Rhodes Train Station.

The development would also have shops, restaurants, child care services and offices.

Plans for a new ferry wharf on the peninsula date back to 2013 when the State Government outlined plans for a terminal next to John Whitton Bridge to keep up with the suburb’s population and development growth.

Resident Ian Inglis believes the new ferry wharf should be built more centrally.

Since then, the proposal has gone through various iterations and hit hurdles from operators of private vessel and local rowers due to concerns over potential conflicts with a ferry stop on the northern end of the peninsula.

Ian Inglis, who has been lobbying for a wharf since at least 2015, questioned why the funding of a terminal should come down to a developer.

“They’ve been talking about it for 10 years and since then more and more developments have been put in placing more strain on Rhodes Station and buses,” he said.

A photo showing the development site (in blue).

“In my view the wharf should have been put in central Rhodes close to the shopping centre, the train station, and where most of the new developers have been built.

“It’s a public transport service and shouldn’t come on the proviso we also get a 45 storey tower on top of it.

“We’re not Barangaroo and we don’t want another Blues Point Tower in Rhodes.”

In a statement, Transport for NSW said it was continuing its own planning work for a new ferry terminal and remained committed to the project.

“Key priorities include minimising the impact on rowers and other river users who use this part of Parramatta River, while also developing a solution that will meet the needs of Rhodes ferry customers for decades to come,” a spokeswoman said.

“Transport for NSW has been working with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and private landholders to ensure community access to the ferry wharf via an extension of Leeds St as per the Rhodes Master Plan.

“Transport will engage with stakeholders and the community and will continue to work with surrounding properties to formalise access agreements and ensure minimal disruption.

“The community will be updated as planning progresses.”

Like many other developments on the peninsula, construction works for the proposed Billbergia project would involve remediation works to address contamination from the site’s heavy industrial past.

The proposal has been lodged to the Department of Planning for consideration.