The NSW Government has today announced the first site of its essential worker Build-to-Rent plan.
Funded through the Government’s $450 million investment to deliver housing for essential workers, the Government’s developer Landcom will transform the former WestConnex dive site in Camperdown to deliver:
- at least 200 build-to-rent units offered to essential workers like health workers, paramedics, teachers, police officers and firefighters at a discount to market rent, through a separate subsidy;
- approximately 300 additional units, including private units and a proportion of affordable rental housing;
- ground-floor retail or commercial, landscaped outdoor spaces and new pedestrian links, enhancing the neighbourhood’s amenity and vibrancy.
“We desperately need more affordable housing for essential workers in the Inner West and this project will make a real dent in the problem,” said Inner West Council Mayor, Darcy Byrne.
“For years people have talked about the Parramatta Road corridor as being an ideal location for higher density housing, this project will actually make that happen.”
The site was identified under the NSW Government’s Land Audit, which set out to find surplus government land that had been sitting unused and could be used to develop more homes.
Landcom and Homes NSW were given first pick of the land audit sites, with this being the first site to be developed by Landcom.
“Essential workers are feeling the impact of the immense cost of housing and many can’t afford to live near their jobs. That’s why our plan is delivering this well-located, secure and accessible rental housing for the essential workers who keep Sydney running,” said Premier, Chris Minns.
“The former WestConnex dive site in Sydney’s Inner West has sat unused for years and thanks to our plan to identify vacant land, it will now to deliver housing for essential workers close to their jobs.
“Every single day essential workers turn up to work keep our state running, the very least we can do is make sure that they have access to the housing they need, near their jobs at an affordable price.”
The site is located close to transport, public spaces, amenities and education and health centres including one of Sydney’s largest hospitals, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Community and stakeholders will have the opportunity to help shape the design of the mixed-use development as the applications progresses through consultation.
“The Camperdown site is the first secured by Landcom as part of the NSW Government’s $450 million investment to deliver more than 400 build-to-rent homes for essential workers in metropolitan Sydney, closer to their jobs and services,” said Planning Minister, Paul Scully.
“The new rental homes in Sydney’s Inner West will ease the pressure on essential workers employed nearby, providing greater housing choice, security and affordability, improving quality of life.
“The development will transform unused Government-owned land with new homes for renters and buyers, while rejuvenating a key part of the Parramatta Road corridor.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, pending approvals, with the first essential workers moving in around 2028.
