Seven Years On, Roche Again Seeks DA for Lilyfield Site

Sydney-based Roche Group has lodged plans for a mixed-use development across six buildings in the city’s inner west—seven years after first making the application.

In November, 2016 Roche sent a planning proposal to the newly formed Inner West Council seeking to redevelop its 6824-sq-m site at 469-483 Balmain Road, Lilyfield.

But four years later new planning controls under the then-Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan were gazetted, allowing for new maximum building heights, floor space ratios and other site-specific requirements.

Ethos Urban, which has lodged the latest documents, said while a site-specific Development Control Plan (DCP) was submitted to the council at the time, it had yet to be adopted.

An amended draft DCP was lodged in January this year.

“Noting the time taken by the council to progress a decision in respect of the 2021 draft DCP amendment … it is not possible to further hold back the lodgement of a DA for the site,” the town planner wrote.

▲ The plans call for the adaptive re-use of several old buildings that once formed part of a bakery.

Roche is seeking six buildings of up to six storeys each for 89 residential apartments on top of 6000sq m for what it’s calling “light industrial uses,” including 1200sq m for “creative purposes.”

While the site—about 5km north-west of central Sydney and 750m south of the Iron Cove Bridge—is not part of a heritage conservation area, the developers want to retain and adaptively re-use several “character buildings.”

According to BCI Central, plans call for the partial demolition of the former Pilcher’s Bakery, built in 1907, and the adjacent administration building (1917) to allow for the new development, after which both buildings will be reinstated.

“Neither building meets the criteria for heritage listing,” Ethos Urban wrote.  “Notwithstanding, the external appearance of these buildings has the potential to contribute positively towards the character of the site and its context.”

▲ Roche wants to give over 6000sq m for light industrial uses, including space for “creative purposes.”

A publicly accessible square, to be called Bakers Square, will be developed behind the old bakery building. Pedestrian links through the site will connect three bordering streets.

Of the 89 planned apartments, 22 will be studios or one-bedroom, 40 will be two-bedroom and 27 will be three-bedroom.  Five per cent of the residential area will be given over to affordable housing.

A two-level basement will allow parking for 151 vehicles and there are plans for 1045sq m of communal open space.

The developers want “cold shell” approval only for the commercial space, saying the type of tenants and precise uses have yet to be determined.

The Roche Group boasts a portfolio of residential, tourism and agricultural projects in both Queensland and New South Wales.