Wentworth Point: Bennelong Cove development could be fast-tracked with 1200 units
A contentious western Sydney development was originally slated for 350 apartments but now the state government could fast-track it to host a staggering 1200 units. Read who is for and against the bold project.
The saga that has become the waterfront Bennelong Cove development proposal at Wentworth Point could be fast-tracked after the state government’s Housing Delivery Authority recommended a staggering 1200 units be given priority.
The authority, which gives developers the ability to bypass local council planning rules, is considering the development – commonly known as Block H – become state significant which would require final approval from the planning minister.
Developer Billbergia first proposed the ambitious project at Burroway Rd and Footbridge Blvd in 2017 but has since been locked in a tussle between the NSW Government and Parramatta Council over concerns such as heights.
But the state government has now stripped the council of any powers of the polarising development which was originally planned for 350 units up to 25 storeys.
Amendments saw that leap to 642 dwellings up to 40 storeys and, in 2021 it was 997 apartments over 40 and 50 storey towers.
But the HDA recommends an even more colossal development of 1200 apartments over two 50-storey towers.
Despite concerns among the council and the public with the HDA update, Billbergia confirmed it would still provide the $70m worth of infrastructure under what is called a voluntary planning agreement.
That includes a $9m 90-place council-owned childcare centre, a $36m multipurpose indoor sports and recreation centre with outdoor courts, a 16,000sq m park and a foreshore promenade with picnic areas, and an $18m shuttle service until the light rail stage 2 is running in 2031.
Billbergia development director Rick Graf welcomed the HDA’s consideration of its development.
“Since Bennelong Cove was first proposed in 2017, Sydney is now in a housing crisis and the proposed uplift aligns with current government initiatives including the National Housing Accord,’’ Mr Graf said.
“Importantly, the proposed increase of 200 homes provides capacity for Billbergia to
fund and deliver essential worker housing – 30 per cent of the uplift in the HDA proposal
dedicated to essential worker housing.’’
Wentworth Point Community Group convener Gaurav Singh has embraced the upsized project, saying it is the only way the suburb could get more services.
“There’s already enough density so I don’t think 1200 units is going to be much of a difference to us,’’ he said.
“What matters to me is the public infrastructure which is completely missing – it’s zero.’’
Mr Singh, who is raising his young family in Wentworth Point, has lived in the suburb for almost five years.
“I want to live in this area and I don’t want to leave this last piece of land to be converted without public infrastructure,’’ he said.
“That would make this place unlivable.’’
Long-time Wentworth Point resident Mark Green echoed the support and said it was the only way his sports club, the Titans, could have facilities.
He added that no one was complaining about the 3000 homes developer Sekisui House was constructing in the suburb.
However, former Wentworth Point resident Shane Harrington left the suburb and called it “a disaster” with several “hodge podge” buildings.
Former Parramatta Lord Mayor and incumbent state Labor MP Donna Davis has lobbied hard against the apartment complex, which will be the final piece of the developer’s masterplan, because of the pressure on roads and services.
“Wentworth Point is a community with geographic constraints,’’ she said.
“There are traffic and transport constraints in particular which need to be resolved in any future development applications in the area, regardless of sites.’’
She disagreed that the council was entirely divorced from the project and said it was working to resolve the voluntary planning agreement with Billbergia.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter is concerned about the resident influx if the state government gives 1200 units the green light.
“We’re doing the heavy lifting on housing delivery and we’re one of a few metropolitan councils to exceed our housing target for 2021-26,’’ he said.
“But we simply cannot look at housing in isolation, no matter where it is. We must plan holistically for precincts that people can live, work and play in.’’
Parramatta Liberal councillor Steven Issa demanded infrastructure and was concerned about the council’s absence from planning of Block H.
“If you’re going to increase density it’s got to come with community infrastructure and council’s ability to negotiate a planning agreement is somewhat diluted when we are not the consent authority,’’ he said.
The Block H expression of interest submission is being assessed against HDA criteria. The authority will make a recommendation to the planning minister on whether to declare a project.
Projects that are declared can then request a Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirement and then a development application can be lodged.
Community consultation will then be undertaken before a decision is made.
