Landcom is preparing its first build-to-rent development in a metropolitan area, releasing concept designs of The Joinery planned for Sydney’s inner west.
The plans are for the former WestConnex dive site and have won backing from the state.
This included rezoning the site from industrial to mixed-use and a development of up to 21 storeys.
The masterplan comprises 220 build-to-rent apartments for essential workers, 357 apartments that will include affordable housing and ground floor commercial or retail space.
There will also be a central plaza, outdoor spaces and pedestrian links between Parramatta and Pyrmont Bridge roads.
Construction on The Joinery is expected to get under way in 2026 and take two years to complete.
The Joinery at 160‐186 Parramatta Road and 79-95 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Annandale was secured by Landcom as part of a $450-million program by the state.
Under the build-to-rent essential worker housing program, Landcom wil secure up to four sites to develop 400 new build-to-rent apartments.
Landcom’s other build-to-rent development is on the Northern Rivers, a $30-million development at East Lismore to support people affected by the disastrous 2022 floods.
The NSW Government will retain ownership of the build-to-rent housing in perpetuity, with tenancies managed by a suitable operator.
The project has been welcomed by the Property Council of Australia for creating one of the largest allocations of affordable rental apartments for key workers in the city to date.
NSW executive director Katie Stevenson said it was of the scale and speed needed to respond to alarming housing affordability pressures.
“Our essential workers are being pushed to the city’s edges—or out of Sydney altogether—because they simply can’t afford to live near the jobs and services we all rely on,” Stevenson said.
“This project is a great start and reflects the kind of ambition we need to see in unlocking more government land for housing, we need dozens more like it across the city.”
The PCA in November released a report on essential worker housing that found housing affordability was beyond the reach of most in the majority of Greater Sydney.
Dual-income essential worker households earning well above the average could not afford to buy or rent a home without housing stress while single-income essential workers were effectively locked out.
NSW premier Chris Minns said essential workers kept the city running everyday but were being pushed further and further away from work.
“Housing is the single largest cost of living pressure people face and this block of land has sat unused for years, so we’re using it to help deliver essential housing for essential workers,” Minns said.
The housing will be offered to essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, police officers and firefighters at a discount to market rent through a separate subsidy.
Across the creek near Accor Stadium, Australia YMCI has put its development approved 1.4ha freehold landholding at 29 Carter Street, Lidcombe on the market with Knight Frank.
The site within Zone 3CD is approved for three buildings with 411 apartments, a 100-place childcare centre and ground floor retail.
