A major mixed-use development at 72–88 Water Street, Strathfield South is now on public exhibition. The $81.4 million proposal combines 132 apartments with a full-line supermarket across eight storeys. It also seeks to rezone the site from R3 Medium Density Residential to E1 Local Centre under the State Significant Development (SSD) framework.
The public exhibition invites community and stakeholder feedback. If approved, the development would replace nine existing homes with a high-density housing and retail complex. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will consider all submissions before the Minister for Planning or their delegate makes a decision.
Mixed-Use Proposal Seeks Rezoning and Density Uplift
The site spans 5,088m² and currently contains nine detached dwellings. The proposed redevelopment includes 16,990m² of gross floor area. Residential uses would account for 13,077m², while 3,913m² would be dedicated to retail, including a full-line supermarket and specialty shops.
The residential mix features 23 one-bedroom, 85 two-bedroom, and 24 three-bedroom apartments. A total of five basement levels would provide service areas and parking for both retail and residential users. The supermarket operator has not been announced. However, the developer argues the supermarket would fill a current service gap. Retail trading hours are proposed from 6am to 10pm daily.
Fast-Tracked Through State Planning System
The proposal is being assessed under a concurrent rezoning and development application process. This has been made possible by the Housing Delivery Authority, which declared the site State Significant in March 2025. As a result, the project bypasses the local planning system and is being assessed directly by the NSW Government.
Previously, Strathfield Council’s Draft LEP 2021 proposed similar planning controls for the site. That draft LEP aimed to allow greater building heights and floor space in this location but was ultimately withdrawn in 2023. The current application seeks to implement comparable planning changes: an increase in building height to 35 metres and a floor space ratio of 3.34:1. In doing so, it attempts to realise the strategic vision originally outlined by council.
Height, Design and Urban Integration
The building would step down from eight storeys at the southern end of the site to four storeys at the northern boundary. This transition is intended to reduce visual impacts on nearby low-density housing. Setbacks of between three and six metres are included along Water Street. The proposal includes a five-storey street wall with recessed upper levels.
The design also incorporates 1,814m² of communal open space and 1,254m² of landscaped area. Deep soil zones make up 5.1% of the site, meeting the minimum requirements of the Apartment Design Guide. Other features include rooftop terraces and private balconies. Pedestrian upgrades are planned for the link between Water Street and Clareville Close. These improvements aim to enhance safety and connectivity through new paving, lighting, and planting.
Have Your Say
The proposal is on public exhibition through the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Submissions from the community and relevant stakeholders are encouraged. Key topics of interest may include local character, retail impacts, tree canopy changes, and public amenity.
The project is listed as SSD-85617958 and documents can be viewed on the Department’s online portal. Feedback will be considered before a determination is made.
Project Team
- Developer: Terrigal JRB Pty Ltd
- Architect: Architectus Australia Pty Ltd
- Landscape Architect: Paul Scrivener Landscape Architect
- Aboriginal Consultancy: JMP Consulting
- Affordable Housing: Evolve Housing
- Economic Assessment: Hill PDA
- Traffic: Varga Traffic Planning
- Acoustic: Sebastian Giglio Acoustic Consultant
- Civil/Stormwater: Mance Arraj Engineers
- Site Investigation: EI Australia
- Arboriculture: Tree Management Strategies
- ESD: E-Lab Consulting
- Waste: Elephants Foot
- Access: Vista Access Architects
For more information or to make a submission, search the application number (SSD-85617958) on the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s website.
