Bathla Plots ‘Multi-Generational’ Cabramatta Precinct

Bathla Group has filed plans for a seven-building “multi-generational” residential development in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta. 

Bathla’s vehicle, Universal Property Group, has submitted an application, which is now on notification for a 4ha site at 17-23 Longfield Street. 

The site was rezoned for high-density development in 2018 following a site-specific planning proposal, and a development control plan was also adopted by the council to guide the future development of the site. 

A development application was then submitted by Bathla, which covered uses including a medical centre, gym, childcare centre, aged-care and senior-living components.

This proposal, however, was rejected in June 2023, leading to the current, amended application that has been revised to remove aged care, seniors housing and a childcare centre due to flood risks.

The developer, applying to Fairfield City Council, is now asking to build a complex of seven multi-residential buildings from three to six stories costing more than $286 million. 

The majority (309) of units will be two-bedroom, with 226 three-bedroom, 132 one-bedroom and the remainder studio apartments. 

▲ Of the apartments, 136 units have been designed to meet the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines Silver standard.

The development application said the units would suit a range of prices and needs “to help to facilitate the multigenerational outcome envisaged for the site” and serve to deliver essential housing supply.

Three separate basement areas for 1249 carparking spaces will service the residential flat buildings and future commercial uses. 

The current DA details these potential uses, but the 2576sq m of commercial gross floor area, with 1484sq m dedicated to a gym and 932sq m for a medical centre, will be proposed under a separate application once operators are confirmed.

▲ Another 68 apartments have also been designed to meet the Adaptable Housing Standard.

Designed by HCKL Architecture, the plans aim to “establish a lively and inclusive community by combining residential and mixed-use elements” and each of the individual blocks will have “their own aesthetic response and character”.

The site itself, which sits on land of the Cabrogal people of the Darug nation, is bound by Longfield Street to the south and Chadderton Street to the north in Cabramatta, about 23km south-west of the Sydney CBD and 9km south-west of the Parramatta CBD. 

Cabramatta has benefitted from the wider Western Sydney boom, with plans lodged last year for a three-building mixed-use precinct on Broomfield Street and the wider Fairfield suburb seeing new development, including a project to reinvigorate the Fairfield RSL with shoptop housing.

Bathla Group itself, however, has been on the receiving end of mixed fortunes, with some of its plans for Sydney recently rejected.