Critically the development will include a 7.5 per cent affordable housing contribution that will remain affordable housing in perpetuity.
The finalised Rezoning Proposal made possible by the Minns Labor Government’s State Significant Rezoning Policy has amended planning controls in the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 (LEP) to allow more residential floor space as part of the revitalisation of the harbour foreshore.
Sydney is losing twice as many young people as we are gaining with housing costs now the single largest cost to families in our state. This project will deliver critical new homes for these young people and families who have been locked out of housing.
Along with the delivery of new homes close to transport, over half of the Blackwattle Bay precinct will become open and accessible to the public, including a 1.1 hectare waterside park surrounding the southern pylon of the Anzac Bridge.
A new waterfront promenade will complete the missing link of the 15 km foreshore walk connecting Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo.
Infrastructure NSW will soon select a development partner to deliver the 3.6-hectare mixed-used site, following an open and competitive expression of interest process.
The three shortlisted developers Lendlease, Mirvac and Stockland will submit their proposals for evaluation in July.
The NSW Government will then work with the preferred development partner to commence work on the project as soon as possible, prioritising delivery of public spaces along the waterfront.
When complete, the landmark site will deliver housing, commercial spaces, retail and cultural experiences to create a vibrant, sustainable and thriving community.
The first new homes are expected to be built by 2028, with construction likely to continue steadily delivering more homes for another six to eight years.
The Department publicly exhibited the draft Rezoning Proposal and supporting documentation from 12 December 2024 to 31 January 2025. Feedback received during exhibition helped inform its finalisation.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW with a greater choice of homes, so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live in the communities they choose.
For more information on the Blackwattle Bay precinct visit: Blackwattle Bay | Planning
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The Minns Labor Government are removing unnecessary barriers in the planning process to make it easier and faster to build quality homes, close to transport and services.
“This project is an example of that and will now provide more than 1,500 new homes for Blackwattle Bay, while also unlocking the economic and social potential of this unique part of Sydney’s foreshore.
“This is a once-in-a-generation waterfront renewal project that will open a hidden part of the harbour to the city and its people for the first time in over a century while suppling more homes.”
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“The Minns Labor Government is acting now to address housing supply. We understand that we are facing a generational housing crisis, and we need to ensure we can deliver well-located homes close to transport, jobs and community amenity.
“The Blackwattle Bay rezoning finalisation will unlock new homes and will help to revitalise the harbour foreshore area, which will include a continuous boardwalk from Rozelle Bay all the way to Woolloomooloo.”
