NSW government exploring ‘contingency plans’ after Rosehill redevelopment shot down: Minns

NSW Premier Chris Minns has given a brutal one-word answer on the future of a planned mini city in Sydney after a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ $5bn project was shot down.

The NSW government is working on housing projects “close to the city”, following the failure of the Rosehill housing mini-city project, Premier Chris Minns has revealed, as Sydney’s housing crisis looms large.

The Australian Turf Club voted on Tuesday not to accept a proposed $5bn buyout of the Rosehill racecourse in Sydney’s west that would have made way for 25,000 new homes and a Metro station.

The controversial project was marred by delays, inquiries and opposition from some of racing’s elite, and the decision dealt a blow to Mr Minns’ push to erect more homes close to the Sydney CBD.

Speaking outside the new Powerhouse Museum on Friday, Mr Minns said the sale was “very difficult to pass” and that it had “indicated to us that we couldn’t put all our eggs in one basket”.

“So the government has been working on contingencies for major projects,” he said.

“That might give us a sugar hit, that might give us a big boost, but as has been pointed out to me by you and a lot of other people, we need 75,000 houses.

“So even if we get one massive major housing project in Sydney, we need that to be self perpetuating year after year after year to keep pace with Sydney’s growth.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns says the government was working on ‘contingency plans’. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Asked to reveal any areas he had in mind for “Plan B”, Mr Minns was blunt: “No”.

“I’m just not going to play whack-a-mole on it,” Mr Minns said.

“There’s many projects that are obviously taking place in Sydney, but the government is working on … housing projects close to the city, which we think are absolutely important in sending a signal that Sydney’s back.

“That we need more urban consolidation, that we get people living closer to the city.

“And sometimes that means taking chances on projects. I’m very disappointed by the Rosehill decision, but I don’t regard it as a waste of time.

“I think it’s really changed the nature of the discussion about where people will be living in Sydney.”

Mr Minns said the state government had specific projects in mind moving forward from the Rosehill failure, but was also hoping for developers to bring projects to them.

He also defended newly announced plans for 1500 homes at the Sydney Fish Markets in Pyrmont, despite less than 10 per cent being affordable housing, saying “some of the new high-rise development is high-end, and we need a bit of that too”.

On Friday, the government revealed the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure had approved Infrastructure NSW’s plans to amend planning controls at the Blackwattle Bay site.

The new Blackwattle Bay precinct in Sydney has been approved for 1500 homes.

Located at the old Sydney Fish Markets, the site was already slated for 1200 homes as part of a mixed-use precinct, but the office area has now been reduced to cater for more homes.

Spanning some 30m of waterfront promenade, the project will rejuvenate the harbour and is being pitched as the “missing link” in the 15km foreshore walk from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo.

It is expected to generate 4300 jobs at the government and private-owned sites within the precinct, which spans 3.4na near the city, with, open, recreational and cultural spaces.

With the state government requiring 7.5 per cent of the homes at Blackwattle Bay to be kept for affordable housing, the project is not a replacement for the failed Rosehill project shot down this week.

It will also feature open spaces and cultural areas.

About 56 per cent of members present voted “No” to the deal.

On Tuesday, Mr Minns said he accepted the ATC members’ decision but described the result as a “golden opportunity that slipped through our fingers” and hinted at a possible “Plan B”.

“We’ve got proposals that we’re getting ready to roll out for more housing closer to Sydney CBD,” he said.

“They’re not ready for me to announce today, and not everyone will love them, but they’re absolutely necessary for Sydney.”

Mr Minns has ruled out forced acquisition of the Rosehill site.

The Blackwattle project, meanwhile, is expected to receive proposals in July from the short-listed developers Lendlease, Mirvac and Stockland, with the first homes expected by 2028.