Parramatta, 189 Macquarie St: Toplace says work to restart soon
Work on the 700-unit complex - being touted as an “outstanding addition to the Parramatta skyline’’ - by the Jean’s Nassif-owned Toplace, is due to restart after years of legal back and forth over groundwater issues.
Parramatta
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Construction on Toplace’s 700-unit complex at 189 Macquarie St, Parramatta, will forge ahead “within days” under the state government’s fast-track processes to kick start the economy after COVID-19, despite claims orders are in place to halt work.
The Macquarie Towers, being developed by Jean Nassif’s construction company, proposes a 54-storey and 45-storey apartment block and a five-level basement carpark with 695 spaces, which is already being used by the public.
In 2018, the Land and Environment Court ordered work to stop on Macquarie Towers to protect the structures from the risk of collapse after it found two basement levels were built on the site without council consent.
Issues were first brought to the council’s attention in March 2016 after the two basement levels were built without adequate stormwater and groundwater drainage.
But a Toplace spokeswoman said all disputes with Parramatta Council had been resolved and it was working with the government’s fast-track process to ensure construction started “as soon as possible with the objective to commence works within days”.
“Toplace and council have been able to agree on a range of issues, including appropriate parking spaces, waterproofing and cladding,’’ she said.
“The building has been and will continue to be built in accordance with the Australian Standards.
“Toplace is pleased to say that 189 Macquarie St Parramatta has been subject to a thorough design competition to ensure architectural excellence. On completion it will make an outstanding addition to the Parramatta skyline.”
However, the council has denied that issues had been resolved and said the development remained subject to a stop-work order until a suitable alternative groundwater management system is approved.
“Council is currently in litigation with Toplace, who lodged appeals before the Land and Environment Court following council’s determination of two previous applications related to this property,’’ a council spokeswoman said.
“As the matter is currently before the court, council is unable to provide any further detail in relation to these matters.’’
In June, Toplace submitted a modified development application about the irrigation system.
Ultimately, the State Government will determine whether the planning proposal is approved.
The government confirmed Toplace provided the Planning Department with a letter that indicated the project was shovel ready.
A Planning Department spokeswoman said it did not comment on stop-work orders issued by the council or judgments from the Land and Environment Court.
