NSW Backs Deicorp’s $800m Five Dock Urban Renewal Plan

NSW Backs Deicorp’s $800m Five Dock Urban Renewal Plan

July 8, 2025

Street-level view of Deicorp’s approved $800 million Five Dock development, showing four residential towers rising above landscaped podiums and tree-lined streets.

A landmark $801 million redevelopment will transform part of Five Dock, marking a major milestone in Sydney’s inner west. The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has approved a mixed-use precinct at 129–153 Parramatta Road and 53–75 Queens Road. Deicorp Projects (Five Dock) Pty Ltd will lead the State Significant Development (SSD-73228210), delivering 1,185 apartments, ground-level retail, commercial tenancies, and a new public park.

Proposal Details

The development features four towers ranging from 6 to 31 storeys. These buildings will contain 1,185 apartments, including 218 affordable dwellings. Ground-floor podiums will offer retail spaces, commercial uses, and an indoor recreation centre. Public and communal areas are designed to foster resident interaction and enhance street-level activity.

To support this scale of development, Deicorp will upgrade key infrastructure. These works include extending Spencer Street, widening road reserves, adding pedestrian links, and delivering a 2,290-square-metre public park known as the Village Green. In addition, the site will be subdivided into 16 stratum lots.

Planning Decision and Rationale

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure approved the application after determining that public benefits outweigh potential impacts. The development supports urban renewal goals while delivering new housing, open space, and infrastructure in a strategically identified location.

Deicorp will provide 1,185 homes, including 218 affordable apartments, contributing directly to Sydney’s housing targets. Its location within the Kings Bay precinct aligns with the Parramatta Road Corridor Strategy, which promotes high-density, transit-oriented development. Furthermore, the proposal met design excellence criteria through a formal competition.

The Department assessed impacts from overshadowing, traffic, flooding, and view loss. It found these concerns were sufficiently addressed through updated design measures. It also approved Clause 4.6 variations allowing minor exceedances—up to 7.7%—to building height controls. These exceedances apply only to rooftop services and screening elements and were found to improve architectural form and energy performance. Importantly, the project also includes significant public domain improvements. Overall, it will generate 6,758 construction jobs and support 201 ongoing roles.

Artist impression by Turner Architects

Project Context and Background

The 3.1-hectare site includes 17 consolidated land parcels between Parramatta Road and Queens Road. Low-rise warehouses and commercial buildings currently occupy the site. These structures will be demolished under a previously approved complying development certificate.

The land is zoned MU1 Mixed Use under the Canada Bay Local Environmental Plan 2013. It is part of a priority growth corridor identified in the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy (2016). The Department classified the application as a State Significant Development due to its construction value and affordable housing provision under the Housing SEPP.

Deicorp will deliver 15% of residential floor area as affordable housing. In addition, the developer has committed to secure another 4% either in perpetuity or through a monetary contribution. The site’s proximity to future Five Dock and Burwood North Metro stations, as well as existing bus and cycle networks, makes it a suitable location for increased density.

PRCUTS diagram by GroupGSA

Design Excellence Through Competition

A competitive design process shaped the architectural outcome. Four architectural firms were invited to participate:

Turner Studio (winning scheme)
Fender Katsalidis
Group GSA
Nordon Jago

The Government Architect NSW oversaw the process, and Canada Bay Council participated as consent authority. Gyde Consulting managed the competition on behalf of Deicorp.

The jury selected Turner Studio’s scheme for its coherent design language, integration with local streets, and strong focus on the public realm. The concept features articulated towers, active ground-floor edges, and a sequence of open spaces to support walkability and social activity.

Addressing Concerns and Refinements

The public exhibition of the proposal in late 2024 attracted 33 objections. The City of Canada Bay and Inner West Council raised concerns about building height, overshadowing, traffic impacts, and the development’s proximity to Rosebank College.

In response, Deicorp refined the proposal. Changes included shifting tower placements to reduce overshadowing, enhancing pedestrian and cycling connections, and increasing landscaped areas. The design team also introduced a shelter-in-place strategy to manage potential flooding. Following these revisions, the Department confirmed that the development complies with planning requirements and avoids unreasonable impacts.