Students, councillors slam UNSW development proposal with rooms expected to cost $650

Grand plans to transform a car park at one of Sydney’s leading universities into 1100 student accommodation rooms has been criticised, partly due to the proposed rental cost. Read the price.

Photomontage of the UNSW proposal at 215B Anzac Pde, Kensington.

Bold plans to transform an exclusive Sydney university’s car park to make way for almost 1100 accommodation rooms has come under fire from councillors and students with rental fees expected to exceed student allowance.

The proposal by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at 215B Anzac Pde, Kensington would include rooms which are expected to cost $650 per week. However, rooms on the higher levels are likely to cost students much more.

Randwick councillor Philipa Veitch – who put forward a notice of motion which was carried at a recent council meeting – said student allowance was $562.80 per fortnight with UNSW’s cheapest rooms starting at $653 per fortnight.

If approved, the site – which sits on Crown Land – will be home to the largest student accommodation precinct in Australia.

Five buildings are slated for UNSW’s western car park.

The largest building – southern tower – would be 23-storeys and be about 74 metres high, housing 542 rooms. The northern tower, containing 382 rooms, will stand 20-storeys high with the remaining three towers hosting 142 student rooms.

Artist impression of the proposed development which is before Randwick Council.

Artist impression of the retail food outlets in UNSW’s proposal.

A UNSW spokeswoman said the university has partnered with Iglu which “would hold a 99-year lease of the land” and it would operate the site.

She said UNSW and Iglu have been engaging with “relevant parties” for several months and consultation has continued regarding the plans and site design.

Cr Veitch said Randwick Council has already approved more than 2000 commercial student accommodation studios on Anzac Pde. She said given UNSW’s site sits on Crown Land, “it should really be affordable” for students.

Randwick councillor Philipa Veitch speaking at the UNSW rally for affordable housing on June 21. Photo: Facebook

Not only is the issue of price contentious with Cr Veitch, she said there is hardly any “community benefit” and construction would greatly impact local residents and its neighbouring campus – the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) – which is one of Australia’s premier drama institutes.

UNSW Student Representative Council education officer, Cherish Kuehlmann said the university has “culpability in providing housing for profit” during a rental crisis. She cited a recent rally held by the UNSW Education Collective which has petitioned for the university to cap student accommodation at $100 a week.

Cherish Kuehlmann speaking at the rally. Photo: Facebook

“UNSW’s own housing experts … define rental stress is one third of your income … and one third of a student welfare [is] $100,” Ms Kuehlmann said.

Despite saying she wasn’t against development, she said the proposal was “ridiculous” and “indicative” of universities, developers and landlords which see an opportunity to take advantage of the rental crisis.

The UNSW spokeswoman said “like many other universities” it is aware of the challenges imposed by the high cost of housing in Sydney and “is currently exploring ways to provide support for students, including low-cost options”.

“We are seeing a high demand for student accommodation aligned to rental market conditions,” she said. “Our on-campus accommodation is fully booked out, but we do offer a wait list as there is usually some movement.”