Scathing report card on plan to cram more apartments into Rhodes

The State Government has been urged to go back to the drawing board on its revised plan for Rhodes where 4200 more apartments will be built without a clear plan on how to prevent further clogging up of local roads and train carriages.

A concept image contained in a revised vision for Rhodes.

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The State Government has been urged to go back to the drawing board on its revised plan for Rhodes.

Canada Bay council has released a damning report card on the plan to cram another 4200 apartments into the suburb without a clear plan on how to prevent further clogging up of local roads and train carriages.

In a submission to the Department of Planning, the council described the expansion of the precinct boundary to make way for an extra 600 dwellings in Rhodes west as “unjustified”.

“The density proposed for the entire plan area equates to 202 dwellings per hectare, almost double the highest density in Sydney in Potts Point/Woolloomooloo where the maximum density is between 108-110 dwellings per hectare,” the submission said.

A diagram showing what is planned for Rhodes

Canada Bay Labor mayor Angelo Tsirekas described the proposed density as “unprecedented” while the plan contains no height and floor space limits.

“My question to the NSW Government is; what are the development controls in place and when will we receive even basic information relating to the impact of this growth on local roads and the capacity of Rhodes railway station?

“As none of this information has been provided, the impacts of the plan cannot be quantified or properly assessed.”

Billbergia’s planned Rhodes Central development.

He called for the plan to be revised and re-exhibited with detailed information on heights and density and on how new infrastructure will be funded.

Resident Ian Inglis said the government was relying on developer contributions to upgrade the intersection of Concord Rd and Averill St as well as Rhodes station, which he described as “chaotic” in peak times.

“It’s already at it’s maximum and I know there’s talk about creating a new northern concourse and extending the platforms but nothing will work unless more trains come through,” Mr Inglis said.

“It’s already chocablock along Concord Rd and Homebush Bay Drive; it’s the main north to south arterial road through Sydney so the traffic jam goes all the way from the M5 to the M2.

“You can’t get over the Ryde Bridge of a morning as it is.”

He said the council could not shift the blame to the government.

“None of this would be happening to Rhodes if the council hadn’t applied to the State Government to declare Rhodes east a priority precinct; they’re up to their eyeballs with this whole development right from the start.”

Resident Ian Inglis says nothing will work unless more trains come through.

A Department of Planning spokeswoman said the plan delivers new homes near existing and future jobs and public transport.

“The draft plan identifies a list of infrastructure that will support existing and new residents to the area including opportunities to upgrade the station, a new local school, and a significant foreshore park,” she said.

“The plan proposes a new way to identify the location and height of buildings and distribution of floor space through a state-led design excellence review process, co-ordinated by the NSW government architect in collaboration with the council.”

The proposed foreshore park and ferry wharf.

The Leeds St foreshore open space will be maintained as well as proposing new public open space, a water front promenade and a large public park.

“These areas will provide shops, cafes and a foreshore promenade along the Parramatta River,” she said.

A new pedestrian bridge across Concord Road to McIlwaine Park is also on the cards to improve access to the existing public open space.

The community is encouraged to have their say on the plan until Thursday, February 28.