Parramatta Rezoning Takes Advantage of Light Rail

A major rezoning in Parramatta could open up land for more homes as the light rail line to the suburb steams into the city next year.

The Church Street North precinct will have two light rail stations running through it, at Prince Alfred Square and Fennel Street, when the lines are finished next year.

The state-led rezoning, which it says is a fast-track option compared to a Place Strategy, is attempting to ease the housing crisis in the city. 

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment will review the planning controls for North Parramatta previously exhibited in the Parramatta CBD planning proposal, although heritage and built environment issues will be confirmed later.

A Place Strategy for North Parramatta engagement report was published in early 2023, in which the northern current precinct area was identified, with nearly two-thirds of stakeholders agreeing that development should be confined to the Church Street spine. 

This would prompt development along the new light rail line and at transport hubs, with building heights reducing as development moved further from Church Street.

According to the NSW government, the NSW Productivity Commission found infill developments “more cost-effective” than greenfield housing.

The NSW Planning Department consulted with local residents, community organisations and businesses in late 2022.

▲ Multiple heritage items have been highlighted in the Church Street North precinct which will impact rezoning plans.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said that the construction of homes in Sydney had not kept up with population growth.

“More and more you will see the government link the construction of transport infrastructure with the construction of more homes,” he said in a media statement.

“Suburbs like Parramatta already have the infrastructure and amenities to support more homes.

“That’s why we’re putting our focus into Church Street North to secure more housing.”

The rezoning follows a 2019 report outlining the plans to “significantly” increase the extent and density of the Parramatta CBD to facilitate the NSW government’s strategy for Parramatta as a metropolitan centre as envisioned in the Metropolis of Three Cities approach for Greater Sydney.

The Department of Planning and Environment will consider further community and stakeholder feedback through the City of Parramatta process before the rezoning is finalised over the coming months.