Over 300 units planned for Railway Street, Lidcombe

A glossy multimillion-dollar development with more than 300 units is planned for a suburb some say has fallen victim to “high-rise mania”.

Plans for the $102 million Lidcombe Central development with 306 apartments sprawled over four blocks could sprout up opposite the train station but concerns linger over “lagging infrastructure’’.

Phoenix Builders has lodged plans with a state government plannning panel, which will determine if the apartments — reaching as high as 18 storeys — shops and a four-deck basement carpark with 456 spaces will become a reality.

Lidcombe Central will have over 300 apartments at Railway St.

A plaza and garden are planned for as public upgrades.

The 5920sq m complex will dominate the Lidcombe town centre at 4, 6-8 and 10-12 Railway St and transform it with a communal rooftop gaden, 64 extra trees and 600sq m of public footpath upgrades as part of a joint Cumberland Council project.

Under the proposal, Phoenix Builders said it aimed to create a “high quality, attractive’’ public space to create a “prosperous and socially vibrant hub” to stimulate the economy.

Despite the building’s convenient location and access to public transport, there are concerns the infrastructure will not cope with Lidcombe’s surging population.

Doubts have been cast over Lidcombe’s services being able to cope with the soaring population.

Cumberland Labor councillor George Campbell supported the Lidcombe Central development but has been critical of “high-rise mania’’ gripping the suburb and neighbouring Auburn.

He said the council predicted three people per dwelling for new developments but “we know it’s much more than that’’.

“People crowd into places because of high rent,’’ he said.

“I don’t think infrastructure is ever designed to keep up with our increasing population.

“It always lags behind.’’

On the opposite side of the train station, Lidcombe is bracing for an even more intense population explosion at the Carter Street Precinct, where 6200 dwellings, a primary school and community centre are earmarked.

But the project has attracted backlash following the state government’s failure to commit to stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail, which would cater for residents in Carter Street and neighbouring Sydney Olympic Park and Wentworth Point.

Traffic congestion is also expected to worsen after the government axed a $140 million M4 exit into Hill Rd, leaving westbound drivers to put up with “NSW’s worst roundabout” at Australia Ave, Underwood Rd and Homebush Bay Drive.

Back at Lidcombe Central, Cr Campbell has also welcomed the Planning Department’s decision to reinstate industrial zoning at East and Railway streets, which allows Rookwood Cemetery-related businesses to continue operating there.

The state government has endorsed zoning that supports Rookwood-cemetery-related businesses to remain at Lidcombe instead of enabling more units. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“This is a good decision and a setback for the residential high-rise mania that has got out of control,’’ Cr Campbell said.

The ruling rejects a decision in June 2017 when Auburn Council’s administrator proposed a swathe of Railway, East, James and Mark streets to become high-density residential.

However, maintaining the industrial strip along East St was a good move for businesses such as stonemasons and headstone manufacturers, Cr Campbell said.

“Council has certainly had the view it made a lot of sense to keep them there and we don’t want to reduce the employment land. We want to keep jobs in the area for our residents.’’

WE’RE STILL HERE FOR YOU

For trusted news that matters, and to support local journalism, go straight to the source:

● Visit and bookmark the Parramatta Advertiser homepage and hit ‘follow’.

● Get local news direct to your inbox. Search and sign up for the Parramatta Advertiser newsletter.

● Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

MORE NEWS

Parramatta: Felix Shiells, Michael Lawson allegedly threw rocks, coconuts from Church St unit