Image: Image: NSW Government
The NSW Government has assumed control over development for the Parramatta Road corridor through the Inner West, and for the Blackwattle Bay precinct in Pyrmont, in addition to nine other locations in the state.
A policy introduced in the twilight days of the Perrottet Government allows the state to assert authority over rezoning proposals if they have been “unreasonably delayed” or are determined to be of state or regional significance.
The Minns NSW Government, which has been eager to pursue its housing policies, quietly expanded the policy last month by removing the exception that prevented pre-existing proposals and development from being taken over.
State government takes over Parramatta Road Corridor project
The first stage of the Parramatta Road Corridor project, which has been taken over by the state government, will see redevelopment along or near the road in Leichhardt, Five Dock, Croydon, Homebush and elsewhere.
Development by the NSW Government will primarily be concentrated in clusters, creating commercial and housing space as the city, state and nation scramble to resolve a housing shortage. It also comes after a state government-commissioned report identified major corridors including Parramatta Road for improvements to bus services.
Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne welcomed the state government’s action and expressed openness to a bureaucracy-busting statutory authority for redevelopment along the corridor.
“The constant delays and competing objections from various state agencies, as has happened in Parramatta Road, is one of the central causes of the housing supply crisis,” Byrne remarked on 8 October.
Blackwattle Bay site of another major NSW Government development
The area surrounding Blackwattle Bay is the site of another major redevelopment program, including but not limited to the new fishmarket.
It will also include new parkland and a 15km waterfront path featuring a boardwalk and foreshore promenade, which the project website envisions as “one of the world’s longest and most beautiful” continuous waterfront walkways.
“Surrounding the southern pylons of the Anzac Bridge, a new waterfront park at Bank Street will be an inviting, inclusive and adaptable space that celebrates First Nations culture, maritime history and its landscape. Until the park starts construction, a Pop-up Park is open for the community to enjoy.”
The project aims to be climate-friendly, aiming for net zero emissions by 2041.
Elizabeth Elenius, secretary of community group Pyrmont Action which aims to foster cooperation between residents and government, expressed the organisation’s objection to the current redevelopment plans which were initiated under the Berejiklian Government.
Elenius remarked there was “absolutely no provision” for additional public or affordable housing in the Blackwattle Bay Strategy.
“Building large apartment blocks with bay and harbour views will not solve the affordable housing crisis and it is likely many apartments will be purchased by foreign investors who will then charge high rents.”
“What is desperately needed are homes that are affordable, particularly to key workers [including] teachers, police, emergency services, nurses enabling them to live close to their work.”
She remarked that it was “just so disappointing that the Minns NSW Government has not seen fit to review the former government’s plans” and provide opportunities for those opposed to the existing plans.
“It is not too late for the Minns Government to sit down with those who do not oppose more development in Pyrmont and Ultimo, but wish that development to complement and enhance the physical and social amenity of Pyrmont Peninsula,” Elenius urged.
Under the Liberal–National government in 2021, Pyrmont Action endorsed some elements of the redevelopment but expressed concern over the height and scale of developments which it foreshadowed would “have a highly significant adverse impact” on residents. The planned height of some of the towers, slated to be built on the site of the old fishmarket, was subsequently reduced by ten stories to 36 whilst the proposed heights of other towers to be built on private land were increased.
“We have sought reconsideration of the former government’s plans by the new Labor government, with absolutely no success. We have also sought more green open space along the foreshore which currently is planned to be concrete,” commented Elenius.
The development makes use of the existing Wentworth Park for greenspace.
