Developer denies units blocks will add to traffic woes

Skilled workers are the target market for a nine-storey apartment block at the entrance to the M5 Motorway in Sydney’s south which would see the demolition of an old warehouse and bring new residents to one of Sydney’s busiest roads.

An artist's impression of a development planned for Arncliffe. Picture: Supplied

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Skilled workers are the target market for a nine-storey apartment block at the entrance to the M5 Motorway in Sydney’s south.

Bayside Council received an application to demolish an old warehouse at 96-102 Princes Hwy in Arncliffe and develop a $28.2 millions block of 83 units with ground-floor retail space and a rooftop communal area.

The proposal includes 24 one-bedroom units, 12 one-bedroom units with studies, 43 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units.

“The proposal renews outdated building stock,” the applicant wrote.

“The new stock retains employment opportunities but delivers additional housing opportunities which assists with housing affordability.”

The applicant denies the development would create more traffic on one of Sydney’s busiest roads.

The Princes Highway is one of Sydney’s busiest roads and the Roads and Maritime Service dedicated $300 million to untangling traffic snarls south of the M5 Motorway under the Gateway to the South pinch point program in February 2015.

Improvements included CCTV cameras, electronic message boards and increased capacity at difficult intersections.

Despite the potential resident increase from zero to hundreds the applicant said the development’s impact on traffic would be “negligible”.

“The development (is) supportable on traffic planning grounds having regard to the minimal increase of traffic volumes expected over existing volumes,” they wrote.

The applicant said the proposed development would integrate effectively with other local residences, and particularly the Endeavour Apartments at 108 Princes Highway.

The suburb’s ongoing transformation has been enabled by the Arncliffe Precinct Plan, which encourages urban renewal to accommodate southern Sydney’s growing population.

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“It provides housing opportunities which could accommodate skilled workers for surrounding employment centres,” the applicant wrote.

“The subject locality is serviced by Arncliffe railway station, which could provide connectivity for employees to the CBD.”

The applicant said the existing industrial facility may appear to constitute “a loss of traditional employment opportunities” but warehouses were increasingly relocating to newer and bigger facilities in southwest and northwest Sydney.

“These areas benefit from newer and arguably better road-based connectivity to NSW and interstate,” they wrote.