Parramatta River: Hamptons Property Services plans units for River Rd West

The banks of the Parramatta River are about to become more populated if plans for a $77 million unit complex are approved with what is being touted as a ‘superior’ design.

It’s already home to several multi-storey unit blocks but more are planned for the Parramatta River with a 273-apartment complex earmarked for River Rd West.

Hamptons Property Services has lodged plans on behalf of Sonenco Apartments for the site on the eastern fringe of the CBD, where three towers will rise to 14 storeys above shops, offices and a double-level carpark.

The PTI Architecture-designed development will neighbour the Toplace units on the same street and join a growing forest of apartments on the opposite side of the river.

The State Government planning panel will assess the plans, which will include the developers allocating almost 2000sq m of space to foreshore open space.

Artist’s impressions for a development at 10-12 River Rd West, Parramatta.

Parramatta councillor Patricia Prociv expressed concerns over a shortfall of parks for the city’s growing population living in apartments along the river.

“We need actual parklands along there,’’ she said.

“We need more than a path along the river. We need playing spaces and playing fields and big areas.

“It’s unfortunate because it’s within the sightline of Elizabeth Farm. It will block sightlines from Elizabeth Farm to the river.’’

Open space will be allocated but parklands are needed, says Patricia Prociv.

But Hamptons director Kristy Hodgkinson said the foreshore was “a key driver for public amenity’’ and the project was significant.

“I think it’s a superior architecture outcome for the eastern end of Parramatta and it will make a very positive contribution to the foreshore and the entry to the Parramatta CBD,’’ she said.

In April, Parramatta’s 10km, $18 million boardwalk linking cyclists and pedestrians from CBD to Sydney Olympic Park, opened.

Next year, residents will have easier access to the north and south sides of the river when the Alfred Street Bridge opens.

The 4.5m bridge will be Australia’s first diagonal arch bridge and stretch 190m, connecting Alfred St, near the Parramatta Light Rail’s planned Tramway Ave stop to Western Sydney University’s Rydalmere campus.

MORE NEWS

Plans for Timezone at Westfield Parramatta shopping centre

Faces of lockdown: Living and working on the Covid frontline