North Parramatta residents fight against apartment proposal at Albert, O’Connell streets

A western Sydney community fed up with the government’s “cheap shots” of calling them NIMBYs continues to fight plans for an imposing unit complex in their neighbourhood.

Artist's impression of a proposed apartment complex for 31 O’Connell St and 9 Albert St North Parramatta, near the Parramatta Female Factory.

A contentious proposal for 370 units in North Parramatta might be tagged as a state priority but residents continue to battle against the development they fear will create an even bigger traffic nightmare.

Developers Ceerose, also known as Peterose, have proposed the complex at 9 Albert and 31 O’Connell streets and issued a rezoning proposal with the state government, which will ultimately determine the ambitious project.

The government’s Housing Delivery Authority has also declared it a state significant project, which would feature three blocks ranging from 30m to 77m (22 storeys).

North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group member Renee Moore said the community was fed up with the government’s attitude to their objections.

“We are collateral damage so don’t call us NIMBYs, please,’’ she said.

The North Parramatta community including Renee Moore (third from left, in purple) is fed up being labelled NIMBYs.

“The government does because it’s a cheap shot.”

She has been trying to underline the potential risks the Albert and O’Connell streets apartment complex could create with 440 extra car spaces slated for an intersection “already under considerable strain”.

The complex would be spread over three buildings.

Ms Moore said accidents frequently occurred at the site, which is close to the Parramatta North Public School pedestrian crossing.

“The traffic light on the east side has been replaced three times due to vehicles colliding with it,’’ she wrote in a letter to Parramatta state Labor MP Donna Davis.

“The most recent accidents occurred on May 5 and May 19.’’

In another example, she said a driver’s car became lodged on the median strip.

Exponential growth is planned for North Parramatta with more than 2000 new homes. Picture: NSW Government

Ms Davis responded to Ms Moore’s request for traffic data at the intersection where there were 12 non-fatal crashes between 2019 and 2023.

“There were two serious injury crashes, three moderate injury crashes, one minor/other injury crash and six non-casualty (towaway) crashes. This resulted in nine casualties, no fatalities, three serious injuries, four moderate injuries and two minor/other injuries),’’ she said.

Preliminary data for 2024 and 2025 showed there were no fatalities at the site.

In 2010, the RMS, then known as the RTA, rejected the Liberal government’s public housing plans for 106 apartments over three-storeys at 9 Albert St, so the massive increase for the 22-storey complex has perplexed residents.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said despite the housing project being classified as a state significant development, it was not an approval.

“Every state significant development undergoes a merit assessment, where transport capacity will be assessed, and the community will have the opportunity to comment on the plans,’’ he said.

“I would invite the community to raise any concerns during this consultation period.”

Along with the congestion there are concerns the project – and wider Minns Government plans to upzone the suburb along the light rail corridor – would overshadow the heritage-listed North Parramatta Female Factory.

Parramatta federal Labor MP Andrew Charlton slammed his own party in January over plans to upzone the suburb with 2000 new homes because it could derail plans to gain the 206-year-old factory World Heritage listing.

Like residents, he said he was not consulted on plans for the “rampant development’’.

But now the election is over, residents want reassurance he will continue to fight against what many deem as overdevelopment.

Mr Charlton was contacted for comment.

Originally published as North Parramatta residents fight against apartment proposal at Albert, O’Connell streets