Parramatta Road: Inside the bold push to change one of Sydney’s busiest roads forever
A radical proposal aims to transform one of Sydney’s busiest arteries from a dilapidated high-traffic artery into a revamped transport corridor.
The proposal, which was released by Business Sydney, Business Western Sydney and the Housing Industry Association, outlined the “new vision” for Parramatta Road, which will mirror that of George Street in Sydney’s CBD.
It would result in derelict buildings, closed shops and used car yards along Parramatta Road being bulldozed to make way for medium-density developments.
Images prepared in the report show the vintage shopfronts on Parramatta Road renovated and intact, with the new mid-rise developments behind them.
A radical plan has been proposed to redevelop Parramatta Road (pictured), Victoria Road and the Great Western Highway, which could see thousands of medium-density homes built along Sydney’s busiest arteries.
Images prepared in the report show the vintage shopfronts on Parramatta Road renovated and intact, with the new mid-rise developments behind them.
The proposal also suggests extending a light rail route from Parramatta Road to Central, in a renewal that reflects the transformation of George Street in Sydney’s CBD.
The report also encourages the state to build 70,000 new homes along the Victoria Road and Great Western Highway transport corridors in a bid to combat the city’s housing crisis.
Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said the proposed plans would revive Parramatta Road as a vibrant shopping street.
“Parramatta Rd is the perfect launchpad for this ‘new’ look in Sydney, which will increase housing supply and make homes more affordable,” Nicolaou said at the Telegraph’s Bradfield Oration.
“We see the redevelopment of Parramatta Road as a first step to alleviate the housing crisis, followed by Victoria Road and the Great Western Highway from Parramatta to Penrith.
“After so many plans and false starts, Parramatta Road is a special case where the government could achieve the double benefit of increasing housing supply while revitalizing Sydney’s first freeway.”
A rejuvenated Parramatta Road alone could deliver up to 30,000 homes, with a focus on the needs of essential workers.
The report, titled ‘The Three Roads: A Solution to Sydney’s Perfect Housing Storm’, outlines a plan to build 70,000 new homes along existing transport corridors.
Mr Nicolaou also called on NSW State Premier Chris Minns to strip local councils of planning powers and create an agency to help guide development over the next five years.
In June, Mr Minns announced a series of initiatives to boost the construction of affordable housing and increase the supply of housing.
NSW needs to build 314,000 new homes to meet the state’s share of the agreement to build one million new homes over five years from 2024.
The shortage falls short by almost 30,000 homes per year.