Up to 8,000 new homes could be built along a busy stretch of road in Sydney’s inner west as part of a rezoning proposal.<\/p>\n
The NSW government has struck a deal with Inner West Council to move forward with the plan, which covers a portion of Parramatta Road.<\/p>\n
The major thoroughfare \u2014 dotted with dilapidated blocks and plagued by traffic congestion \u2014 had been the subject of several revitalisation attempts over past decades.<\/p>\n
But NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully said, despite that, little had changed.<\/p>\n
“We all know that Parramatta Road is an important thoroughfare, but it’s a bit tired,” Mr Scully said.<\/p>\n
“It’s time we stopped talking and start getting on with building.”<\/p>\n
Parramatta Road is often plagued by traffic congestion. (ABC News: Mario Conti)<\/p>\n
The section earmarked for rezoning is within 10 kilometres of the CBD, stretching from Foster Street in Leichhardt to Booth Street in Camperdown.<\/p>\n
Currently, the area was primarily zoned for lower-level residential buildings.<\/p>\n
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said a “block-by-block” analysis would be conducted along the road and several streets behind it, to identify where density could be increased.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great location for desperately needed new homes, because of the existing access to public transport, services, and jobs,” Mr Byrne said.<\/p>\n
The plan allows for 8,000 potential new dwellings, but the maximum number of storeys of any new complexes was yet to be determined.<\/p>\n
“What we will do through this rezoning process is develop the planning controls, including new height controls,” Mr Scully said.<\/p>\n
‘Not-for-profit housing’ on the agenda<\/p>\n
The potential for more affordable housing, active transport connections, new open space, and commercial opportunities will also be looked at under the proposal, along with “improvements to the public domain.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The busy thoroughfare is dotted with dilapidated blocks. (ABC News: Mario Conti)<\/p>\n
No compulsory acquisitions are being considered.<\/p>\n
“We’re not claiming this will turn it into a tree-lined boulevard,” Mr Byrne said.<\/p>\n
“But by bringing in more new homes \u2026 we can both address the housing crisis but also improve the amenity of the whole corridor.”<\/p>\n
A 30-year strategy to build 27,000 new homes along the entire corridor was endorsed by the former state Coalition government in 2016.<\/p>\n