Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal approved by Planning Department

After almost a decade of debate, a plan that allows Parramatta to have 11,000 more homes and 16,000 new jobs has been given the green light but it has also been branded “short sighted”. Find out why.

The State Government has approved the divisive Parramatta’s CBD Planning Proposal, which would see 11,000 new homes and 16,000 jobs in the CBD over the next 40 years but critics are “perplexed” about its limits on commercial growth.

The blueprint permits mixed use residential towers to soar to 70 storeys and 52 storeys for commercial buildings but under the plan endorsed by the previous council, there was an unlimited commercial space if conditions on height, setbacks, solar access and heritage were met.

Former Lord Mayor Steven Issa, who is no longer on the council, blasted the government for failing to enable unlimited commercial space for offices — which he said would cost Parramatta more than 10,000 jobs.

“It’s a farce, bordering on ridiculous,’’ he said.

“We had a real opportunity to reshape the Parramatta CBD, a real opportunity to change perceptions of Parramatta and really become the second CBD.

“Instead we’ve got a decision that has cut commercial space, has cut the CBD boundary in the north — even though the light rail runs straight through it. It’s perplexing.

“It took us longer than two world wars to resolve and has left us back in the ‘60s Cold War era.’’

A view of Parramatta from the 51st floor of 8 Parramatta Square. The CBD Planning Proposal permits skyscrapers reaching 70 storeys. Picture: David Swift

Mr Issa, who supported the heights for residential development, said the Planning Department’s decision to cut commercial buildings showed it was out of touch and a move imposed by “a bunch of people with no clue about Parramatta, no aspirations for Parramatta and obviously no concept of commercial provision”.

Our Local Community councillor Michelle Garrard shared the same criticism over loss of commercial space, saying the department’s limits stunted Parramatta’s growth as Sydney’s second CBD.

“I’m disappointed that they’re not respecting the decision of the council,’’ she said.

“We know the area, we’re all passionate about the CBD.’’

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said “there will always be people that want to drag Parramatta down’’ but that the plan would guide a vibrant and robust future for “Greater Sydney’s second CBD”.

“Parramatta is one of the fastest-growing local government areas in western Sydney and this proposal will make it an even better place to live and work,” he said.

“This proposal is almost nine years in the making and I am extremely proud of the outcome the Department of Planning and Environment has achieved.’’

A department spokesman said unlimited floor space would lead to big bulky buildings and negative impacts in historically important areas, including Parramatta River and Church St.

“The department has been working with council for some time to consider the needs of the community and develop a vibrant city centre with new jobs and housing,’’ the spokesman said.

The government is allocating $49 million towards infrastructure in the Parramatta area, including construction of the Alfred Street Bridge and an urban plaza at Granville.

How Parramatta’s skyline could look.

Mr Roberts said 27,000 new homes and 55,000 new jobs would be created along the Parramatta Rd corridor in the next two decades.

Now the proposal has been approved, Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis called on the government to endorse the council’s CBD infrastructure contributions plan, which would see developers inject money into projects.

“This will ensure developers pay their fair share, so we have the necessary funding to deliver the infrastructure, facilities and services needed for our growing community,” she said.

Cr Davis said the council estimated it could be left hundreds of millions out-of-pocket in community infrastructure funding over the next 40 years if the plan was not endorsed.

The council will respond to the government’s rejection of proposed controls for some precincts in the plan that could adversely impact the number of jobs, homes and office space to be delivered.

“The future of our CBD hinges on getting these plans right, so we won’t rest until our vision for the city is realised,” she said.

Property Council’s western Sydney regional director Ross Grove welcomed the plan.

“The new incentives recognise that higher quality buildings come at a significant cost to industry and that developers who go the extra mile will benefit from the capacity to do more on their site,’’ he said.

The restrictions are limited to buildings north of the Parramatta River that have been retained to 36m height limits.

That restriction halts overshadowing and concerns about overdevelopment in North Parramatta where there are 320 heritage-listed properties, such as Victorian houses Currawong and Endrim.

However, there is a push to extend the boundaries of the CBD Planning Proposal to North Parramatta, to complement infrastructure such as the light rail.

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