Rhodes Bay mixed-use residential development
Shaping a vibrant waterfront community
Rhodes Bay is set to become one of Sydney’s most vibrant waterfront communities, located on the southern shore of the Parramatta River. This 1.1-hectare industrial site will be transformed into a dynamic mixed-use residential development.
Urbis is proud to have supported our client, Billbergia, in preparing the development application for this State Significant Development approved by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The project, designed by SJB Architects, who won an architectural design competition, will feature six buildings ranging from 10 to 17 storeys. The high-quality scheme aligns with the desired future character of the Rhodes Precinct.
Following the introduction of the State Government’s affordable housing bonus scheme in December 2023, Urbis' Planning team was engaged to manage the ‘bridging’ design excellence strategy and the design integrity pathway. This careful management ensured the additional 30% floor space and height incentives were seamlessly integrated while retaining the core design principles of the competition-winning scheme.
Urbis’ Social Outcomes and Engagement team also supported Billbergia with community and stakeholder engagement and social impact assessment services for the development, managing high interest in development on the Rhodes peninsula to de-risk public exhibition of the State Significant Development Application. Our approach was aligned with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s expectations for engagement and social impact assessment on State Significant projects, whilst also positioning the project around the need for high-quality, high-density housing complemented by community facilities and open space.
The proposal includes a total of 342 apartments, with 58 designated as affordable housing. The project also includes 1,450sqm of ground level retail space which activates through site links and a foreshore promenade. The development is thoughtfully designed to integrate with the surrounding context, maximising solar access to key public open spaces. Enhanced site links will improve connections from the foreshore promenade to active and public transport links.
"Rhodes Bay promises to be a vibrant waterfront community, offering seamless connections to the foreshore promenade along the Parramatta River, and setting a new standard for waterfront living in Sydney."
