The former Balmain Leagues club site in Rozelle will get a new lease on life after being granted approval for a 28,000sq m mixed-use development from the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel.

Heworth Holdings Group is behind the $135 million re-development, located on the corner of Victoria Road and Darling Street, which has been abandoned since 2010 and long been known as the dilapidated Rozelle development site in Sydney’s inner-west.

Backed by Malaysian giant Mulpha, Heworth initially lodged plans for the project’s development—comprising three towers—in 2018, after securing the site for $75 million.

The approval includes 167 apartments, commercial space, a new public town square, a community arts studio, retail and the new Tigers Leagues Club to be built on the lower levels of the complex.

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The green light will officially see the Tigers return to their Rozelle home.

Heworth’s head of property Christopher Walsh says the Scott Carver designed project has an end value of $400 million when all is said and done.

Putting delays on the project’s process, the NSW government had previously said it would compulsorily acquire the site for the construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel.

The development approval follows the impending amalgamation of Western Suburbs Leagues Club (Wests Ashfield) and Balmain Leagues Club, which went into voluntary administration in 2018.

“It’s the first step in bringing the Balmain Club back to its home at Rozelle and is a truly historical moment in ensuring the continuation of grassroots rugby league in the area,” Wests Ashfield chief executive Simon Cook said.

“Our amalgamation and the subsequent development approval means we can secure the financial viability of Balmain Tigers and ensure the survival of the foundation club at both NSWRL and NRL levels.”