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The redevelopment of the Telopea Precinct is part of the NSW Government Communities Plus program, which seeks to deliver new communities where social housing blends with private and affordable housing, with good access to transport, employment, improved community facilities and open space.
The NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), part of Homes NSW, is responsible for the NSW Government’s social housing portfolio and owns significant landholdings within the Telopea Precinct.
LAHC is committed to the renewal of Telopea as an integrated community with a mix of modern housing, community amenities, and green spaces. As such, it lodged a State Significant Development (SSD) Application with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for 4,700 new homes (including 1,000 new social and affordable homes), retail, community facilities and open space.
Telopea Master Plan
Precinct planning for Telopea has been underway since 2015, with involvement from Council, LAHC and the the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, formerly the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) at various times. The key drivers for change in the Precinct include:
- The Parramatta Light Rail service and new station and arrival plaza;
- An opportunity to renew the ageing social housing stock;
- Protection and enhancement of the natural amenity (topography, trees, parks and bushland); and
- An opportunity to provide improved community facilities in line with population increase.
Telopea Priority Precinct
Following the finalisation of the Telopea Master Plan, the (then) Department of Planning and Environment declared Telopea a ‘Priority Precinct’ and subsequently exhibited the Telopea Precinct Proposal (Stage 1) and supporting technical studies in late 2017.
On 19 December 2018 changes were made to the Parramatta Local Environmental Plan 2011 (LEP) for the Telopea Precinct via State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (Telopea Precinct) 2018. This included changes to the zoning, height of buildings and floor space ratio controls to facilitate the renewal of the precinct to create around 4,500 additional dwellings including 1,000 new affordable and social housing dwellings. The changes to the planning controls were made.
Development Control Plan
The DCP for the Telopea Precinct (which can be assessed on Council's Development Control Plan page) supports the objectives and planning controls of the Parramatta LEP 2011 and gives further guidance to future development. Key controls included in the DCP for the Telopea Precinct are as follows:
- Controls for off-street car and bicycle parking, design of new or improved road connections, location and design of vehicle access, and future proofing car parking spaces for electric vehicle charging.
- Design principles and controls for new development in relation to building setbacks, basements, landscaping, considerations for development on sloping sites and improvements to the public domain and open space.
- Controls relating to preservation of existing trees and tree planting and protection of heritage; and
- Controls relating to new development providing dual water systems and consideration to building materials, including green walls, roofs and air conditioning units in order to reduce heat in public spaces.
When Council is the consent authority, it is required to take a DCP into consideration when determining a development application.
State Significant Development Application
In December 2019, Frasers Property and Hume Housing were announced as LAHC’s development partner for the Telopea Precinct.
LAHC formally lodged their State Significant Development (SSD) Application with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on 17 September 2021. The application was placed on public exhibition between 13 October to 9 November 2021. The SSD Application is for a Concept Plan and Stage 1A (detailed development) for the redevelopment of the majority of the LAHC owned land as a mixed-use development, which will include 4,700 dwellings, retail and commercial uses, community facilities, public open space and new roads redevelopment.
Updates on the proposal can be accessed through The Planning Portal website.
Current Status
On Thursday 3 October 2024, LAHC and Frasers Property Australia announced they had agreed to dissolve their partnership for the Telopea Urban Renewal Project. Read more here.
LAHC is currently exploring opportunities to accelerate the delivery of new social and affordable homes and to progress the first stage of development following planning approval.
City of Parramatta will continue to support the State Government on the redevelopment of Telopea to deliver an increased amount of affordable housing in perpetuity, as well as associated infrastructure, including roads, open spaces and community facilities.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the Telopea Precinct, you can contact Bianca Lewis on 02 9806 5531 or telopeaprecinct@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
