Sanctuary by Sekesui units planned for Wentworth Point

Bold plans for a $78 million apartment building in the rapidly growing Wentworth Point community includes 171 units, a gym and swimming pool.

Joanne Vella

@Parramatta_News

less than 2 min read

July 16, 2021 - 5:28PM

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A $78 million addition to the vast Sanctuary development at Wentworth Point is in the pipeline for the rapidly growing peninsula.

The fifth stage of the Sekesui development application proposes 171 apartments, with a gym and swimming pool and is under assessment with the Sydney Central City Planning Panel.

The recent plans are part of the wider Sanctuary development to hug the Parramatta River foreshore with 1797 apartments ranging from two to 40 storeys, a civic plaza and a 3.2 hectare neighbourhood park.

The six-stage project would see apartments sprout as high as 134m on the 14-16 Hill Rd occupied by unused industrial buildings. It remains one of the few undeveloped parcels of land along the foreshore.

Sanctuary development will fill 14-16 Hill Rd, Wentworth Point.

“The proposed works include the creation of local roads … and an easement for the potential Parramatta Light Rail Stage two,’’ a Sekesui development report said.

Parramatta Council recently closed feedback for a change of planning controls at 14-16 Hill Rd, which, if given the green light would redesign the masterplan which was approved in 2015.

Changes propose six residential towers with 2300 units and taller buildings to permit a larger foreshore park, as well as 2000sq m of retail space and reserving land for a potential light rail or bus corridor.

Wentworth Point resident Anna Han was cautious about the height Sanctuary complexes would reach.

“The major concern is the height precedent it will set for undeveloped sites,’’ she said.

In June, residents tentatively welcomed the government’s pledge to allocate funding for stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail.

Stage five includes shorter blocks but others in the Sanctuary development will soar as high as 40 storeys.

“As a resident, it is good now but I hope the government can continue past the research stage of the light rail,’’ Ms Han said.

Wentworth Point is one of the most populous neighbourhoods in the country, with apartments comprising 99.4 per cent of dwellings, which is more than triple the greater Sydney rate of 28 per cent.