Annandale Former WestConnex Site Rezoned for Discounted Housing for Essential Workers

A former WestConnex dive site in Annandale is being transformed into a major mixed-use precinct delivering hundreds of new homes — including discounted build-to-rent housing for essential workers — after the NSW Government approved rezoning and the first significant development application for the site.

The Joinery Annandale, proposed by the state’s land and property developer Landcom, will include about 580 new homes just minutes from the CBD, alongside new shops and businesses, a pedestrian link connecting Parramatta Road and Pyrmont Bridge Road, and a central public plaza of about 1,000 square metres.

The 21-storey first building on the site has been approved to deliver 220 build-to-rent homes for essential workers such as nurses, teachers, police officers and firefighters, offered at a discount to market rent. The rezoning and development application were exhibited between 12 August and 8 September 2025 and received strong community and stakeholder support.

Acting Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Yasmin Catley said the project speaks directly to the state’s focus on housing key workers close to where they work.

“The NSW Government is focused on ensuring everyone has a place to call home, and for none more so than the essential workers we rely on to keep our state safe, working, and thriving,” said Catley in a press release.

“The WestConnex dive site will provide 580 much-needed homes but crucially 220 of these will be for nurses, teachers, police officers and other essential workers.

“Landcom is a legacy of the Wran Labor Government and 50 years on, under the Minns Labor Government, it is still delivering homes for our essential workers.”

Construction on the first building is expected to begin this year, with the first essential workers anticipated to move in towards the end of 2028. The NSW Government will retain ownership of the build-to-rent housing, with tenancies to be managed by a suitable operator.

Two further lots on the site will be sold to private developers to deliver the remainder of the homes, including properties to buy and a portion of affordable rental housing.

The Annandale project forms part of the Government’s $450 million investment to provide discounted rental housing for essential workers. The site was identified through a statewide audit of surplus public land suitable for repurposing into much-needed housing — which has been a major and contentious issue plaguing the Inner West, as well as the rest of the city.

Landcom CEO Alexander Wendler said the approvals mark a key step in creating this much-needed new housing supply.

“Landcom is now one step closer to commencing construction on our first build-to-rent building developed for essential workers, explained Wednler.”This is a significant milestone for the business as we accelerate our development pipeline to help address the housing crisis.

“The Joinery Annandale will unlock the type of housing we know is much needed in our cities. In transforming the former WestConnex site, Landcom is making homes happen, by unlocking more diverse and sustainable housing, including for our essential workers.”

Landcom is also progressing plans to redevelop the former Sydney Metro dive site at Chatswood, where up to 1,500 new homes — including 180 build-to-rent apartments for essential workers — are proposed.