Parramatta: Tallest tower, 75 storeys at Great Western Highway moves ahead
Supporters say plans for western Sydney’s tallest tower signal an investment boon for Parramatta city, but objectors say it will turn the city into “laughing stock”. FIND OUT WHY THIS PROPOSAL IS DIVIDING OUR SECOND CBD.
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A bold plan for a 75-storey tower in Parramatta — western Sydney’s tallest building — is on course to becoming a reality and while it has been labelled an investment drawcard, objectors say it will be the next Chatswood and in a location that will make the city a “laughing stock”.
After much heated debate on Monday night, Parramatta Council voted to advance the plan for the 400-apartment tower on the Great Western Highway to the Planning Department, which will ultimately determine the application lodged by GLN Planning.
The project’s lofty height has sparked comparisons with the Crown casino and hotel at Barangaroo which, once complete, will also reach 75 storeys, including the mezzanine, and soar to 271.3m. The Parramatta building will rise to 243m.
Liberal councillor Bill Tyrrell backed the ambitious project.
“We need to instil certainty, we need to give confidence in investing in Parramatta,’’ he said.
“We need to give the whole business investment community future thought and make sure people are willing to invest in Parramatta.’’
Greens councillor Phil Bradley slammed the “outrageous” proposal that allowed the building to reach the “aircraft safety surface’’ at 243m, as well as threaten two heritage buildings — Parramatta Masonic Centre and Lennox House.
Those buildings will remain at their current location but there are concerns the tower will have an inevitable impact because of its bulk and scale.
Liberal councilor Benjamin Barrak said it was an absurdity the tower would be on the highway away from the CBD hub.
“We will be made the laughing stock, it’s just an absurdity,’’ he said.
He reiterated statements from a June meeting when he blasted the plans for the residential apartment block being inappropriate in a business district.
“In other words do we want to turn into one of the mega metropolises out there such as Chatswood, for example, where there’s a lot of high-rise buildings which are predominantly residential in nature?
“The CBD should be reserved as a mega core for actual business for the creating of employment.’’
However, supporters pointed out that the building would be consistent under the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal.
Liberal councillor Steve Issa dismissed Cr Barrak’s concerns about the building on the Great Western Highway.
“I say yes. We should have tall buildings everywhere,’’ he said.
The plans will now move to gateway determination with the Planning Department before they go on public exhibition for public feedback.