Billbergia Six-Tower Rhodes Scheme Wins Approval

Plans by Billbergia for a six-tower precinct west of the Sydney CBD along the Parramatta River has been waved ahead as the evolution of the former industrial area continues. 

The prolific developer filed plans for the site at 25-27 Leeds Street, Rhodes, in 2023 with the City of Canada Bay Council, prior to it being assessed as a State Significant Development.

The City of Canada Bay rejected the SSD proposal, a position it maintained after Billbergia reworked plans for re-exhibition in July this year.

However, the department approved the project.

In its assessment report, it cited the project’s mix of retail and commercial uses, provision of new infrastructure and public domain upgrades along the foreshore, as well as its inclusion of a public park. 

The development’s design excellence was also highlighted in the report, as well as its delivery of well-located housing, including affordable units, in an accessible location.

Billbergia can now move ahead with its mixed-use residential development on the former industrial site. 

▲ Rendering of the SJB Architects-designed towers.

The developer had initially proposed 249 apartments and 3274.8sq m of retail space.

But Billbergia took advantage of floor space ratio and building height uplifts under NSW planning reforms and its approved proposal now includes 342 units, plus parking for 399 cars.

It also more than halved the non-residential floor space to 1430.9 square metres. 

The project includes 58 apartments designated as affordable, according to the assessment report.

The towers of the $203-million project will be 10 to 17 storeys.

▲ The Leeds Street project will replace two industrial buildings.

The project aims to deliver housing, including affordable homes, and achieve a built form outcome consistent with the “desired future character of the area”. 

It provides through-site links and a new public domain, capitalising on the site’s location along the Parramatta River, according to Billbergia’s plans.

The Rhodes East project is one of Billbergia’s pipeline of projects in the area that also includes a nine-building masterplan of 2020 apartments it launched this year. It is close to Rhodes Central and another 17-storey tower at Blaxland Street. 

Including the latest projects Billbergia now has more than 20 towers in the Rhodes area.