Former Bonds site at Pendle Hill waiting to be sold, redeveloped

Landholders across Sydney are being implored by the NSW Government to ‘share responsibility for addressing the housing crisis’ as a massive site in the city’s west - ripe for thousands of new homes - has laid dormant for a decade.

The former Bonds site at Pendle Hill.

Major landholders across Sydney are being implored by the NSW Government to ‘share responsibility for addressing the housing crisis’ as a massive site at Pendle Hill- ripe for thousands of new homes - has laid dormant for a decade.

More than a decade after the historic factory was shut to make way for thousands of apartments in a major urban renewal project, the former Bonds site remains abandoned and has still not been sold. The government has not even assessed a development application for it.

Recent fencing and tape may guard the graffiti-tagged heritage buildings on Dunmore St but industry experts say the start of construction is a long way off while agents wait for a developer to snap up the parcel of land.

It is understood the collapsed building company Dyldam owns 80 per cent of the site that was the birthplace of Australia’s first cotton spinning operation, while property investor Tony Merhi owns the remainder.

Collier’s was in charge of the sale of the property – to be redeveloped and called Denier Park – more than a year ago, when it sought $130m.

A colossal development with up to 1500 units could spring up on the former Bonds site.

But the major land holding it is now listed under Moxham Commercial group.

Agent Jeff Moxham declined to comment on the “sensitive” subject, but has described the large site online as having the potential to develop between 1450 and 1500 units and 6000sq m of retail space.

Expressions of interest closed on November 1. Mr Moxham did not say how many groups inquired about the sale.

Under the plans, unit blocks could reach 12 storeys while 25,000sq m would be allocated for space such as a public plaza.

The property is considered one of the largest development opportunities in western Sydney and comes as Premier Chris Minns calls for homes to be fast tracked to solve the city’s housing crisis.

A Planning Department spokeswoman said it had not assessed any active development applications for the Bonds site, which was rezoned in 2017 for residential, commercial and open space. Cumberland Council approved demolition of the existing structures in 2018 but the existing buildings remain.

“NSW is in a housing crisis and it’s important to explore all opportunities to get more housing moving faster, particularly in Sydney,’’ a department spokeswoman said.

“The NSW Government is pursuing its own audit of vacant land that could be suitable for housing and encourages all landowners and developers to explore opportunities to share responsibility for addressing the housing crisis.’’

Former Prime Minister John Howard during a visit to the Bonds textile factory in September 2007. Picture: Brendan Esposito

American George Bond opened the factory at Pendle Hill in 1923 and started making lisle stockings from Australian cotton.

Fifteen years later, the Chesty Bond mascot was created and became an icon, as well as a trademark, for the company.

In 2015, a report for the owner J.S.T (NSW) Pty Ltd suggested significant 6000sq m of buildings such as The Cutting Room, the Dance Hall and the Old Bale Stores be kept for reuse in a heritage precinct.

A fresh food market or supermarket was suggested for the old Cutting Room.

The Bonds factory influenced the development of Pendle Hill and Wentworthville from its inception, including the construction of the Pendle Hill railway station and residential development to support the large Bonds workforce.

Mass redundancies were announced in 2009 and the factory stopped operating in 2010.

Originally published as Former Bonds site at Pendle Hill waiting to be sold, redeveloped