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Lidcombe Rise: Billbergia Group public, private housing project details

Work has started on a multimillion-dollar mixed private and public housing complex which will include hundreds of apartments. And the Lidcombe project is set to offer good news for job seekers. SEE THE ARTIST IMPRESSIONS.

Artist impressions for Lidcombe Rise at Church St.
Artist impressions for Lidcombe Rise at Church St.

Work has started on the behemothic $96 million Lidcombe Rise project where public housing will be built alongside private homes at Church St.

The four blocks will house 262 apartments including 53 social housing units managed by Evolve Housing and 209 private dwellings at 2-36 Church St where 480 jobs will be created as part of the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) working with developers Billbergia Group.

The developers and LAHC are negotiating facilities including a 60-place childcare centre, public park, community centre and 400-lot carpark with the council.

Billbergia development director Rick Graf, Housing Minister Melinda Pavey and Evolve Housing CEO Lyall Gorman at the Lidcombe Rise construction site.
Billbergia development director Rick Graf, Housing Minister Melinda Pavey and Evolve Housing CEO Lyall Gorman at the Lidcombe Rise construction site.

Billbergia has also lodged a separate proposal with Cumberland Council to amend planning controls to increase the number of units to 375, including 63 social housing apartments.

Under the change, heights would soar to 40m or 13 storeys.

The next step will involve the council formally exhibiting the proposal.

Artist impressions of how the Lidcombe Rise will look.
Artist impressions of how the Lidcombe Rise will look.

Billbergia managing director John Kinsella said the planning proposal – which has in-principle support from Cumberland Council – reflects the site’s central location close to public transport and shops.

“Given the current adverse economic and health circumstances, the timing of this shovel-ready development couldn’t have been better,” Mr Kinsella said.

He said the project, which is near public transport, Lidcombe Library and an aquatic centre, would rejuvenate the precinct.

Housing Minister Melinda Pavey is touting the one hectare project as a win for housing diversity for vulnerable people, whose units would be constructed to the same “high standard as private housing’’ in the complex.

Billbergia is developing the complex.
Billbergia is developing the complex.

“Communal courtyards and rooftop open spaces will also provide recreational areas for each building, to further improve the resident experience and enhance living standards,” she said.

“We don’t just replace old housing and build new properties – we deliver great homes purposefully designed to enrich lives and invigorate communities.”

Church St will sprawl across one hectare.
Church St will sprawl across one hectare.

The project is one of 46 projects the LAHC is behind in western Sydney and have the potential to generate $199 million in construction activity and 884 jobs through the construction of 542 social housing dwellings.

Evolve Housing CEO Lyall Gorman said he was looking forward to seeing the project progress.

“There has never been a more important time to develop social housing in Sydney, and this project will deliver new, high-quality homes to fulfil that demand, while also boosting the economy by creating jobs,” Mr Gorman said.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/lidcombe-rise-construction-starts-on-public-and-private-housing/news-story/f1846b5265bc3b1a870fd486019bdcce