Former NRL Star Plots Apartments in Sydney’s West

Former Penrith Panthers rugby league star-turned-millionaire property developer Lou Zivanovic has filed plans for three six-to-eight-storey residential buildings in Sydney’s north-west.

In documents by Ashford Metro now before the Hills Shire Council, the developer is seeking 166 apartments across the three buildings on an eight-lot parcel of land at 20-34 Ashford Avenue, Castle Hill.

Lubo (Lou) Zivanovic, who played mostly second-row for the Panthers in the 1970s and 1980s, is listed in online documents as the sole director of Ashford Metro.

Under the plans, eight contemporary one and two-storey homes would be demolished to make way for the $98-million construction. Some 78 mature trees would be removed.

Part of the Cattai Creek, which runs for nearly 30km, is along the rear of the 8745sq m site.

Under architectural plans by Sydney-based Turner Studio, the three buildings would house 41 single-bedroom apartments, 85 of two bedrooms and 40 of three bedrooms. Three levels of basement parking will allow for 274 cars.

The development includes about 4212sq m of communal open space.

Pre-lodgement meetings were held between the developer and Hills Shire as early as May, 2022, where the council had questioned whether the proposal—ranging in height from 26.3m to 29.55m—would isolate neighbouring sites and hinder their development, specifically 26 Ashford Avenue.

▲ Now on public exhibition, the proposal will eventually be decided by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel.

Online records show Zivanovic acquired that site in August last year, paying $2.9 million for the 933 square metres. The property now forms part of the application.

Town planners Urbis told the Hills Shire Council the site’s broader context was unique, given its proximity to the Showground Station Precinct, which forms part of the Northwest Rail Link Corridor Strategy.

“The proposal seeks to take advantage of the site’s close proximity to the Hills Showground Station to deliver a high-quality residential development within an accessible location, again supporting the idea of a ‘30 minute city’,” Urbis wrote.

“The site is therefore connected to Sydney central business district and other key sites across the city, providing access to jobs and services.”

Zivanovic’s proposal is on public exhibition until July 1, after which it will be determined by the NSW Government’s Sydney Central City Planning Panel.

In February, 2016 the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) banned Zivanovic from managing a corporation for three years over the collapse of 18 building and construction companies he operated.

▲ A render of the development that would sit across eight adjoining lots in Castle Hill's Ashford Avenue.