Inner West Council Opposes “Out Of Character” 16-Storey Tower In Rozelle

The Inner West Council has criticised the proposed 16-storey tower in Rozelle, arguing that the building is “too tall, too bulky and out of character with the surrounding neighbourhood”.

The project was proposed by developer Traders in Purple Australia to be built at 104-108 Victoria Road, Rozelle.

The 16-storey tower would stand at 77 metres high, and would comprise of 117 apartments with affordable housing, commercial space, and multi-level basement parking.

The development was officially initiated in December 2025, and was fast-tracked because it featured an in-fill affordable housing component. The detailed plans were formalised in September, with local resistance to the height forming.

The Inner West Council registered its opposition in a media release on 13 October.

Council and community objections

Councillor Kerrie Fergusson said that the scale and bulk of what is being proposed is “simply far beyond what this site can reasonably accommodate.”

Residents have also raised concerns that the proposal significantly overshadows neighbouring properties, including homes with small backyards and solar panels that depend on winter sun, and one of one of the few local green spaces south of the site, O’Connor Reserve.

The Rozelle Community Action Group has echoed these fears. Helen Dallimore, a member of the group, told City Hub that most of the community found out about the project late, with little chance to have a real say.

“Approving this site in isolation, at this scale, sets the benchmark for multiple sites, compounding impacts across the community without any real planning for infrastructure or amenities.”

There are further concerns over traffic safety, with Dallimore explaining that Withcombe and Ellen Streets are narrow residential streets, which already struggle with trucks turning in and out unsafely.

Fast-tracked State Significant Development

The proposal is being assessed as a State Significant Development (SSD) through the NSW Government’s planning powers, which bypasses the Inner West Council as the consent authority.

The proposal adds tension to the long-running saga over the Rozelle Village project at the former Balmain Leagues Club site.

Mayor Darcy Byrne added that it was obvious that they were “seeking to use the unique Balmain Leagues Club site as a precedent for a similar scale of development on a site that is only a fraction of the size.”

Councillor Kerrie Fergusson said she recognises that there is a moral obligation to deliver more housing but states that, “meeting that obligation cannot mean ignoring whether a particular development is appropriate for its site.”

The Inner West Council and the Rozelle Community Action Group both recognise the need for more housing but feel there are better ways of tackling the issue without compromising character.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said they are “working hard to solve the housing crisis and deliver new homes but that doesn’t extend to accepting very poor development proposals like this.”

Dallimore said the affordable component is being used to justify the project, but that the 15-year limit on affordable housing units would result in luxury apartments.

She suggested that a better way to deliver affordable housing would be to make developers and the NSW Government accountable for permanent affordable housing.