Planning Overhaul Finalised in Sydney’s Inner West

The future of development in Sydney’s inner west is looking more clear with rezoning in Rhodes and masterplanning for Sydney Olympic Park.

The state government has finalised the Rhodes Place Strategy with a 20-year vision to add 4200 homes, 1100 jobs, a ferry wharf, a new primary school and upgraded train station.

There would also be more than 2ha of public space created including a foreshore park and promenade.

However, there was push back from the Coptic Church community with 3000 submissions, many voicing concerns about how development of the precinct would impact the church, leading to amendments to the strategy.

Across the Parramatta River at Sydney Olympic Park. early work was under way to create the 2050 vision for the region, starting with a community survey.

The draft plans will be on exhibition until March next year with a focus on creating “one vision for the town centre and parklands” building on the suburb’s story.

To the north of the stadium in Wentworth Point, plans have been lodged for a new high school which indicated a mixed-use development would be created between the facility and Parramatta River.

A further 193ha of land in Wilton in south-west Sydney, has also been rezoned, adding 1600 homes and a town centre to the growth area, part of the NSW government's plan to deliver 18,000 homes to Glenfield, Lowes Creek Maryland, Leppington and Wilton.

Suggestions to add a giant playground, sports mecca, park, movie production house, entertainment precinct and a business centre to Sydney Olympic Park have already been submitted.

NSW Placemaking chief executive Anita Mitchell said they had conducted one-on-one interviews, round tables and focus groups to shape the draft.

“At 10 times the size of Disneyland, there’s much to imagine at Sydney Olympic Park,” Mitchell said.

“The place vision and strategy will provide a roadmap to guide the development of the master plan 2050 and future developments.”

Minister for planning Rob Stokes said the finalisation of Rhodes and Wilton were key to help address the city’s housing needs.

“Under the [Rhodes] strategy, up to 4200 new homes and 1100 new jobs will be delivered, along with around 2.3ha of open space, an upgrade to Rhodes Railway Station, a proposed ferry wharf, and a site for a new public school,” Stokes said.

“The community will also benefit from 2.9km of new walking and cycling paths, which will connect with a new 7500sq m foreshore park, 15m-wide waterfront promenade, and existing open spaces such as McIlwaine Park.”

There were four development areas identified in the Rhodes strategy are Station Gateway West, for 33- to 45-storey buildings, and Station Gateway East for 10- to 37-storeys, Cavell Avenue for 11 storey maximum, and Leeds Street for eight to 18 storeys.