Bayside Council wants taller buildings, investment in Rockdale transport precinct
Plans to increase the height of buildings in Rockdale Transport Precinct are expected to bring more people to the suburb and provide easier pedestrian access.
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Rockdale planning regulations are expected to change to help attract more developers to invest in the suburb.
In turn, councillors hope the town centre will draw in more people and offer easier access to transport and the city.
A planning proposal has been lodged with Bayside Council to redevelop and revitalise the Transport Interchange Precinct located on the Princes Highway, Tramway Arcade and Geeves Ave.
Bayside Local Planning Panel will assess and determine the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday, with the council recommending it be approved.
The Rockdale Town Centre Masterplan, adopted by Rockdale Council in 2012, said developing the precinct was “critical to establish a positive image for Rockdale and provide more convenient access to the station”.
“This planning proposal provides a mechanism for facilitating redevelopment of the precinct into a high-quality mixed use area with active street frontages, ground level retail and residential towers, which will contribute to the revitalisation of the town centre in accordance with the masterplan,” a council report said.
The proposal aims to provide flexibility and incentive for redevelopment of the precinct by increasing the maximum base building height control and removing the maximum floor space ratio control for the land.
These changes to the council’s development regulations already apply to the majority of the town centre.
The proposal seeks to increase the allowable maximum base height of buildings to increase from 22m to 27m, and if approved the total height of buildings will be 39m rather than the previous 34m.
If approved, the precinct redevelopment will enable a six-storey building along the Princes Highway and a three-storey building on Geeves Ave.
The proposal, if approved, will make way for “landmark buildings” at the northern and southern ends of the precinct that will “present a positive image of Rockdale centre to visitors” and “facilitate high-quality architectural design”.
More housing supply and choice within walking distance to the train station will help create a “30-minute city” and provide precinct renewal and improvement of the public domain.
The report noted “there was public benefit of formalising and enhancing the pedestrian link from the station to the highway”.
Developer Fivex owns 507 and 513-517 Princes Highway with other landholders owning the remainder of the site.
The council owns one parcel of land at the site — 493 Princes Highway — and provides access through the site.
The proposal previously went on public exhibition where only two submissions were received from members of the community.
Concerns were raised about the height, bulk, scale and overshadowing of the development.
The council report said the maximum height and scale would be consistent with other areas of the town centre and would provide minimal increase in shadowing.
Other concerns such as lack of green space, play areas or streetscape impact would be considered at the development application stage.
The report noted there would be carparking provisions but less than the standard rate to reflect the public transport accessibility of the site.
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