Urban Digest

A major mixed-use precinct proposing 1,720 homes across eight towers in Rhodes has entered public exhibition.

The State Significant Development application covers a 3.13-hectare site across Leeds Street and Averill Street, with building envelopes ranging from eight to 40 storeys. The concept masterplan would establish the framework for the staged redevelopment of the precinct, including housing, retail and community uses, new pedestrian connections and a substantial network of public open space.

Across the precinct, 197,223 sqm of gross floor area is proposed, including 187,650 sqm of residential and 9,573 sqm of non-residential space. The scheme also proposes an affordable housing contribution equivalent to 5% of residential floor area, to be provided within the development in perpetuity.

A major component of the masterplan is the public domain, with more than 20,000 sqm of open space proposed across the precinct, including a new foreshore park, recreation areas, laneways and through-site links. The site fronts the Parramatta River and forms part of a broader foreshore renewal area identified for higher-density mixed-use development.

Detailed approval is also being sought for the first stage of the development. Stage 1 would deliver three mixed-use towers ranging from 28 to 40 storeys, containing 800 apartments and 4,073 sqm of commercial, retail, food and beverage, recreation and community floor space. A consolidated basement would provide 1,118 car spaces.

The development would then be completed through subsequent applications for the remaining stages, ultimately creating eight towers across the precinct.

A concurrent rezoning is proposed through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway. Among the changes sought are the rezoning of parts of the Stage 1 site from R4 High Density Residential to MU1 Mixed Use, amendments to height and FSR controls, and removal of the existing dwelling cap applying to the site within the Rhodes Precinct.

Leeds Investment Pty Ltd is the applicant, with Billbergia developing the precinct. Urbis is leading the planning application, while SJB has prepared the masterplan and is designing two of the Stage 1 buildings. Furtado Sullivan is designing the third Stage 1 building and its non-residential podium, with Land and Form leading the landscape design.

For more information, search SSD-89441959 on the NSW Planning Portal.