Lendlease, GPT Team Up for Final Rouse Hill Precinct

Lendlease and GPT have teamed up on a precinct masterplan for Rouse Hill, a “transit-orientated neighbourhood of the future”. 

The Northern Residential Precinct (NRP) is the last residential precinct to be developed of six at the Rouse Hill Regional Centre, 43km north-west of the Sydney CBD.

Lendlease GPT (Rouse Hill) Pty Ltd submitted the application to The Hills Shire Council. It was referred to Sydney Central City Planning Panel this week and is now under assessment.

The 2.39ha site on Commercial Road is 600m from Rouse Hill’s Metro station, and town centre, and is being designed by Urbis. 

It is east of Caddies Boulevard and fronts Caddies Creek Reserve, Commercial Road and Rouse Hill Drive. It is currently surrounded by low-density residential houses and newly rezoned land, which will allow buildings up to 12 storeys. 

The eight buildings of the NRP will be from three and six storeys with about 400 apartments—25 per cent will be one bedroom and 15 per cent  three bedroom with the majority (60 per cent) two bedroom.

The estimated cost of development has been put at more than $189 million. 

This is the second development application associated with the Northern Residential Precinct after the first, which was granted in 2015, lapsed in October 2022. 

The latest plan has evolved to encompass the start of Sydney Metro operations at the new Rouse Hill station and other infrastructure developments in the area. 

“Unlike the other residential precincts so far developed at Rouse Hill, the Northern Residential Precinct represents the only remaining and best placed opportunity outside the Business zones to deliver genuine transit-oriented development outcomes where higher density living can benefit from close access to existing shops, schools, open space areas and superior public transport,” the planners said.

The NRP and surrounding lands were being studied for transit-oriented development as the urban context had intensified, they said. 

The NRP land forms part of a Project Delivery Agreement between Lendlease, The GPT Group, Landcom and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (Office of Strategic Lands). 

The Hills Shire suburb has attracted major developments including a $60m industrial development, and a town centre expansion also by GPT, as high demand and low supply boost Rouse Hill.