Back in September 2017, NSW Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts announced a draft “Priority Precinct Plan for Rhodes East”, a 20-year plan to revitalise this unevenly developed inner-west suburb of Sydney--Rhodes.

The plan aims to develop Rhodes East, maximising the use of public space by building high-rise residential buildings. It is planned to build up to 38-storey apartments, townhouses, a new primary school, more shops, new streets, pedestrian bridges and a new ferry wharf, and upgrade public transport facilities.

A lot of public advice on the draft has been received since its announcement in 2017. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment believes that the plan is an opportunity to draw together the eastern and western sides of Rhodes station and plan for the peninsula in a comprehensive way.

In September 2018, the Rhodes Revised Draft Precinct Plan, which added Station Gateway West area to the Structure Plan, was placed on public exhibition again until February 28 this year. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment staff revealed in early June that they received about 800 submissions during the exhibition period.

Two lines divide Rhodes into three sections

Rhodes is divided into East and West by the railway line, and its eastern side is subdivided by Concord Road, so planning and development in these different sections are not synchronised. Since 2006, 4,600 new dwellings have been built in Rhodes over the past decade. Rhodes West has transformed into a high-density residential, retail and commercial precinct. Rhodes East, on the other hand, is still dominated by detached houses and an industrial area, where less than 10% of the population resides.

The plan for Rhodes East covers an area of more than 36 hectares, which is bounded by the railway line and Concord Rd, to the north of Mary St, and a small area from west of Rhodes Railway Station, south of Gauthorpe St, east of Marquet St, north of Mary St.    

The planning area is divided into four major parts: Leeds Street, Cavell Avenue, Station Gateway East, and Station Gateway West, with each of them having a distinct development direction:

Station Gateway West

Apartments on the west side of the station.

The last remaining undeveloped land west of the station, provides the opportunity to revisit the built form of the Station Area.

Create transit plazas to provide lively, safe pedestrian and commuter experiences

Improve the existing station capacity and provide a pedestrian connection over the railway line.

Design and develop up to 600 new homes with guaranteed overshadowing and solar access.

Station Gateway East

Station Gateway East will be the future commercial and retail area.

On the eastern side of the train line, has been identified as the best area for future employment and higher density residential development.

Create more local jobs by building commercial and retail areas.

Provide about 1350 homes of various types, ensuring a reasonable residential density.

A pedestrian bridge between the station and McIlwaine Park will provide a better leisure environment for the public.

Provide a new street south of the Coptic Church, connecting Blaxland Rd with Cavell Ave.

Cavell Avenue

Rhodes Council community centre will be retained and enhanced.

800 dwelling of different densities will be built according to a transition in height from Blaxland Road down to Concord Road.

A new pedestrian link will be built between Blaxland Rd and Cavell Ave, near Denham St.

Retain and enhance the existing Council community centre. Heritage items and landscapes of the area will be respected and preserved.

Built a new east-west connection over the railway near Nina Grey Circuit, or an upgraded underpass closer to the proposed school.

Upgrade local streets, at least 3 mixed use corners are to provided.

Leeds Street

Detached houses and industrial area on Leeds Street.

High amenity mixed use area characterised by a foreshore park and key retail space.

A one-hectare local school site has been identified on the corner of Blaxland Road and Leeds Street, with a capacity of up to 1,000 students, contain all play space within the school grounds.

Build a new road south of the school site, connecting Blaxland Rd with Cavell Ave.

New foreshore open spaces and promenade are provided to the public.

Create a mixed use area including residential development, retail uses, cafes and restaurants, estimated 1,450 homes will be provided, with building heights also descending from west to east.

Integrate development with a proposed ferry wharf at foreshore on the east side near Concord Rd.

Upgrade the intersection of Averill St and Leeds St.

Developers or landowners pay for the infrastructure

The NSW government proposed that local developers or landowners pay the Special Infrastructure Contribution (SIC). The SIC funds infrastructure such as schools, state and regional roads, regional open space, emergency and health facilities and some public transport infrastructure.

According to the draft plan, about 3,600 homes will be developed throughout Rhodes East and up to 600 more in the west. Meanwhile, key workers like teachers, police and nurses will be provided with about 150-200 affordable homes. According to 2017 figures, there are only 274 homes and 733 residents between the Railway line and Concord Rd. They will not be forced to sell their properties, but the developers are already talking to some residents about acquisitions.

According to the official website of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the Rhodes Revised Draft Precinct Plan is still under consideration though it has been three months since the end of public exhibition. It was said that their planners are working hard to process the 800 submissions received, about a large number and range of perspectives or issues raised from a range of stakeholders. The planners have commenced further planning on a number of those issues raised, public can sign up for email updates on https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/rhodes to receive the latest news of the plan.

This article is based on and extracted from the official documents issued by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. The planning details are subject to the official documents, which is copyrighted by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.