Camperdown

Landcom is proposing to transform the former WestConnex dive site at Camperdown with well-designed, well-located mixed-use development featuring:

• at least 200 build-to-rent units offered to essential workers like nurses, paramedics, teachers, police officers and firefighters at a discount to market rent, through a separate subsidy
• approximately 300 units that will be a mix of affordable rental housing and housing to buy, with the ratio to be determined during planning
• ground-floor retail or commercial, landscaped outdoor spaces and new pedestrian links that contribute to the neighbourhood’s amenity and vibrancy. 

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The former WestConnex dive site was identified through the NSW Government’s audit of surplus land for housing, with planned development optimising an unused site close to public transport, social infrastructure and major health and education employment hubs. 

As the site is zoned light industrial, it will need to be rezoned for proposed mixed-use development. 

Planning is underway with technical specialists to understand site opportunities and constraints to support the site’s rezoning and well-designed development.

Technical studies will cover local traffic and transport, urban design, landscape design, civil engineering and environmental assessments. 

Landcom is consulting Inner West Council and other government agencies to minimise impacts and achieve a great design outcome. Landcom will also consult neighbours, the wider community and other stakeholders as planning progresses.

Initial assessments show that local roads will have capacity for traffic generated by the development. As the site is well-located, future residents can also walk, cycle and use public transport to reach many nearby destinations. 

The number of private parking spaces will align with planning requirements, and firm up as planning progresses.

While building heights will be confirmed during detailed planning, the 1.1-hectare site is well-located near public transport and social infrastructure to support around 500 units across multiple buildings, which could be 10 or more storeys. 

Planning will consider overshadowing, privacy and views to deliver positive design outcomes on site and for neighbours. 

As the site is zoned light industrial, it will need to be rezoned to support proposed mixed-use development. 

Planning is underway with technical specialists to understand site opportunities and constraints to support the site’s rezoning and well-designed development. Neighbours, the wider community and stakeholders will be consulted as planning progresses. 

To streamline project delivery, Landcom aims to lodge an application to rezone the site and an application for the build-to-rent housing for essential workers with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in mid-2025. 

The Department will publicly exhibit these applications, during which time the community can make formal submissions.

Landcom will work with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to ensure fast planning approvals so that the first essential workers can move in around 2028. 

Pending approvals, construction of the build-to-rent housing for essential workers is expected to start in 2026, with the first essential workers expected to move in around 2028.

Landcom will work with contractors to minimise construction impacts and will keep neighbours informed with timely updates. The construction methodology will be determined when plans have been finalised. 

Once the site is rezoned, we will sell parts of the site planned for affordable rental housing and housing to buy. The future landowner will need to submit and receive approval of separate development applications before any construction can begin. 

Build-to-rent housing is designed and built to provide long-term rental homes, rather than sold to homebuyers, providing an alternative to home ownership.

Build-to-rent offers longer leases, often up to five years, which give tenants security of tenure. This helps renters avoid the 12-month “leasing cycle”, which can leave them looking for a new home every year. Annual rent increases are often locked in upfront, so tenants have financial security and know their rents will not escalate rapidly or unexpectedly.

Because of the longer-term tenancies, often many build-to-rent tenants are allowed to paint walls, hang pictures, keep pets and really set up home. They settle down, make new friends and build a sense of community.

At our Camperdown project, at least 200 build-to-rents will be offered to essential workers at a discount to market rent. These properties will be retained in government ownership, with details on how to apply and the rental subsidy made available closer to project completion.

Affordable rental housing caters to people on very low to moderate incomes. Rent is priced so tenants can afford other basic living costs such as food, clothing, transport, medical care and education. Affordable housing differs from social housing in that it is usually managed by a non-government organisation, like a private rental with eligibility criteria.

Our Camperdown project will feature a mix of affordable rental housing, housing to buy and build-to-rent apartments offered to essential workers at a discount to market rent.