There are several concerning development proposals in Marrickville that have recently come to our attention. As planning changes accelerate across the Inner West, we expect many more applications to follow. We rely on our community to help keep us informed – if you are aware of any other development proposals or upcoming plans, please get in touch or let us know.

31-41 O'Hara St, 1-15 Byrnes St and 20-22 Central Avenue Amalgamation (ironically called "Marrickville Village")

The Housing Delivery Authority has declared this site a State Significant Development (SSD), stripping Inner West Council of its decision-making power and placing the final decision with Planning Minister Paul Scully. The proposal is currently at the pre-lodgement SEARS stage to set guide parameters for an Environmental Impact Statement, meaning formal public submissions are not yet open.

The developer is seeking to drastically exceed existing planning standards, replacing a low-density area with a complex of 7 to 23 storeys (up to 81 metres high) containing 316 apartments and 5 terraces. This represents a jump in Floor Space Ratio (FSR) from 0.6:1 to 5.1:1 and a height increase from 9.5 metres to 81 metres. Although 56 units are designated as "affordable housing," this status is capped at 15 years and limited primarily to small studios and one-bedroom apartments.

This massive increase in density poses critical safety and environmental risks. The corner of O'Hara and Byrnes Streets lies within a severe flood zone where existing homes require sandbagging, yet this is where the main entrance to the 23-storey tower is planned. Furthermore, an 81-metre tower breaches Sydney Airport's flight path height limits (OLS), which restrict structures to 15 storeys. Despite developer claims that taller buildings adjoin existing high-density areas, the 23-storey tower directly faces a pocket park and single-storey residential homes.

While we must wait for final plans to be lodged before making formal public submissions, you can make your voice heard now. Contact Planning Minister Paul Scully, local MP Jo Haylen, the Mayor, and Inner West Councillors. It's important to note that Council will not be the decision makers, however this development, if approved, will be under their watch.

2-18 Station Street

This next site has been on our radar since 2021. The original DA (which proposed demolishing the existing structures to build a mixed-use development with a boarding house and ground-floor commercial space) was initially refused by Inner West Council officers and subsequently rejected by the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel. However, the developers took the matter to the Land and Environment Court, which upheld their appeal in 2022 and granted development consent subject to specific conditions. We assumed that was the end of the story, and construction would start on this narrow block. Instead the site has stood derelict for the last 4 years and the proposed 8-storey boarding house featuring 85 rooms is yet again before the Land & Environment Court. The developer is seeking changes to the conditions and Council has not agreed to the unreasonable conditions such as change to working hours allowing construction work to occur for 7 days/week, significantly reducing the amount paid to Council and reducing the parking to 9 spaces. Following the conciliation session on July 24, proceedings were officially terminated as no agreement could be reached between the parties. A formal court hearing has now been scheduled for Friday, November 27. We have previously posted about this site.

50-52 Warren Road

This Development Application (DA) to demolish a local Art Deco building and replace it with an 8-storey luxury apartment complex remains before the Land and Environment Court. If this development is approved, the project will result in the direct loss of affordable housing for 18 local residents. According to Council’s legal team, a final decision from the court is not expected until November. You can read more about our work on this site.

107 Silver St, site of the old Baptist Church

The developer has proposed a 9-storey, 24-unit residential building with affordable housing infill concessions. However, only 5 units will be affordable for 15 years, dropping to just 1 unit after that. The proposed height is non-compliant – exceeding the site's maximum limit by 14.8% – and creates an abrupt, harsh transition next to neighboring 1- and 2-storey homes in an R2 low-density zone. Additionally, while the plan includes two levels of parking, Council engineers oppose the proposed single mechanical car lift. Ultimately, the building’s excessive scale will severely impact neighboring residents through overshadowing and loss of privacy.

10 Calvert St 

This is a proposal for 2 x 5 bedroom houses on a very small block which will change the character of Calvert St and set a precedent for other such developments.

The Inner West Council has released its draft Affordable Housing Policy, and the clock is ticking. Submissions close today, Sunday 7 June 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Save Marrickville has lodged a formal submission, which you can read here. If you want to have your voice heard before the deadline, you can email Council directly at [email protected] or fill out the online form via the Your Say Inner West portal.

Want to understand more before hitting the send button? Our friends at the Better Future Coalition have published an excellent, easy-to-read breakdown of the policy on their website. We highly recommend checking out their guide and signing up for their newsletter to stay across future updates.

Better Future Coalition has provided recommendations you can use in your submission to Council to help ensure our most vulnerable community members are housed:

Increase the percentage of Affordable Housing contributions for additional floorspace to 20%, in line with the Council's September 2025 commitment to the Inner West community.

Allocate a minimum of 50% of the affordable housing to low and very low-income households.

Mandate that rents charged must not exceed 30% of household income, to ensure the housing delivered is ACTUALLY affordable.

Make contributions available to all types and sizes of community housing providers (not just Tier 1), to provide the diversity and range of affordable housing solutions we need in the Inner West.

Release the Draft Governance and Distribution Framework alongside the Affordable Housing Policy, providing clear timelines for the delivery of affordable housing (not just contributions); dictating where housing will be provided (when contributions are made in cash rather than in-kind); and clarification on which body is accountable to the community (Council or CHP).

The threat to Marrickville’s affordable housing: We’ve just learned that an entire block of 16 flats on Renwick Street is going to auction. It is these exact properties, alongside 50–52 Warren Road, that provide actual, genuine affordable housing in our area. This confirms what we have long feared: an increase in the removal of older, affordable stock from the rental market. We cannot afford to lose them.

What else is happening?

Action for Public Housing is working to protect the Waterloo public housing estate, which is home to low-rise accommodation and a tight-knit community. Sign their petition to refurbish Waterloo, not demolish Waterloo.

The NSW State Labor Government is proposing major changes to the way communities are notified about, and allowed to comment on, development in their neighbourhoods. Read more about it and make a submission.

For fascinating stories about urban planning with a strong focus on the Inner West, be sure to check out the Changing Sydney website. It might make you mad and sad, but you will learn something.

On Tuesday 30th September at the extraordinary meeting, the Inner West Council voted 8-7 to endorse its Fairer Futures Plan to increase housing density (8 Labor councillors in favour, and 7 councillors against – 5 Greens, 1 Independent, 1 Liberal). 

With regards to Marrickville, amendments tabled by Councillor Howard were made during the meeting that removed 20% of the uplift. While this is only a small win, it is significant given Marrickville is bearing the brunt of the uplift and dramatic increase in housing.

The reasons cited for removing some areas from uplift included:

• Their distance from Marrickville Train Station
• The presence of existing lower-cost rentals, which would otherwise be under threat.

This is a point we have campaigned on for years. While some of this housing has been spared, much more will still be lost under the plan. For full details of all streets removed, please see Mat Howard's Amendments in the meeting minutes.

You can watch the full meeting on the Inner West Council's webcasts page.

The endorsement of the Plan was a deeply disappointing outcome, with Marrickville treated as the sacrificial lamb of the LGA. Expect to see many changes over the next 10-15 years. Now that Council has adopted the plan, it will proceed to the State Government for the next stage.

Save Dully's submission as a video - it's worth a watch!

Will the Inner West Council’s Big New Plan create a Fairer Future for Everyone?

The proposed new Local Environment Plan will change the Inner West forever, wiping out homes, businesses, trees, sun and sky ... but will it solve Sydney’s housing affordability crisis?

Council is introducing the biggest development plan in Inner West’s history but has refused to hold public meetings to answer questions from the community. So, we’re having one!

You’re invited to hear from experts and local residents about the new Plan, what it will do for housing affordability, community facilities, green open space, family-friendly homes and more at:

PUBLIC COMMUNITY MEETING, 2-4 PM, SUNDAY 27 JULY GUMBRAMORRA HALL, ADDISON RD COMMUNITY CENTRE, MARRICKVILLE

(Hosted by the Better Futures Coalition, concerned community members of Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Ashfield and Leichhardt)

Save Marrickville has joined a number of other community groups from across the Inner West Council LGA to form the Better Futures Coalition.

The new Coalition has called on the Inner West Council to extend and deepen public consultation over its so-called “Fairer Future” Local Environment Plan (LEP) which aims to add more than 31,000 dwellings to a small number of suburbs in Sydney’s Inner West, while leaving others untouched. The plan will have a very significant impact on the built and natural environment of Marrickville, Ashfield, Dulwich Hill and Leichhardt.

Public submissions are due by July 6 and Council has decided to adopt the plan at its August meeting, with the aim of moving it quickly through a State government approval process.

The ’Better Futures Coalition’ community group has requested a month-long extension to the community consultation process, given the genuine challenge of ensuring informed community engagement in such a short time period. 

The extremely low submission and survey response received so far by Council (under 100 submissions and fewer than 200 surveys out of 85,000 households) is proof that the wider community has not been able to meaningfully engage with the plan and its implications. 

IT'S TIME FOR ACTION! 

With less community consultation than promised in 2023, the Inner West Council has put up their “Fairer Futures” plan for the new Local Environment Plan (LEP), targeting Marrickville and only 3 other suburbs – out of 25 – for massive redevelopment. Where the State Government required 6 storeys, Council wants up to 15!

Once approved, the new LEP will dictate planning and development across the Inner West for years to come. We need to get it right!

WHAT'S AT RISK?

✘ Marrickville’s famous, iconic mix of small businesses, including shops, cafes, music venues, bars and restaurants including all of the Marrickville Rd and Illawarra Rd town centres – even if front sections are retained, buildings will be gutted for redevelopment

✘ Existing low-rise affordable housing, e.g. apartment buildings, boarding houses and shop-tops

✘ Parking in your street and near local shops

✘ Access to a local doctor, childcare or aged care

✘ Period buildings housing popular local venues, e.g. Lazybones 

✘ Green space and tree canopy

✘ Privacy and natural light in your home and garden

✘ The chance to build truly affordable, well-designed, future-proof housing for people to buy or rent long-term, not just for developer profit

Is your home or business affected? Find out at: www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/develop/a-fairer-future-for-the-inner-west

Make submissions by 23 February

The NSW Planning recent proposals to create more housing will mean that all residential areas, town centres and station precincts will be open to major development. This will greatly change the character of your area, with 75% of Inner West LGA affected.

The published Changes to create low and mid-rise housing, released in December:

https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/eie-changes-to-create-low-and-mid-rise-housing.pdf

• Allow 3 storey units in low rise residential areas, and 6 to 8 storeys in medium rise residential within 800 metres of a train station or town centre.
• Heritage protection will no longer apply to Inner West areas impacted, such as King Street Newtown. The Rocks is also not protected.
• Councils will have no power to plan or control these developments.

Please make a submission at

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/explanation-intended-effect-changes-create-low-and-mid-rise-housing

Click “Object” and cut and paste the draft brief submission points below or write your own:

Draft submission:

I request that the proposed Changes to create low- and mid-rise housing be withdrawn and re-considered in discussion with local Councils and communities. My objections include that:

• These changes will destroy the character of the Inner West
• 2 storey units will be allowed in low rise residential areas, and 3 storeys (12.3 metres) through an affordable housing bonus in all R2 zones
• 8 storeys will be allowed in all R3 medium rise zones or mixed use within 400 metres of a train station or town centre, with the affordable housing bonus, and 6 storeys within 800 metres
• Transport Oriented Development will allow 6 or 8 storeys within 400 metres of Marrickville and Dulwich Hill Stations, without Council planning or consideration of local character
• Heritage protection will no longer apply to affected areas, so historic precincts such as The Rocks, and King Street Newtown, could be lost to development
• These changes will side-line planning and approvals by Councils, and any community involvement
• Very little affordable housing will be created, despite concessions to developers
• Council planning control and heritage protection should be preserved, and no affordable housing bonus applied to these residential areas
• Councils should be allowed to develop Urban Design Plans for station precincts and town centres, which deliver more housing and make the best value of an area’s character.

See link to the Transport Oriented Development Program, which is connected
https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/transport-oriented-development-program.pdf

Recently the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the State Government is planning to establish priority development zones at seven Metro Stations. These zones will have dramatically increased density to meet the bulk of the state’s housing targets. See link to article Sydney poised for priority development zones to solve housing crisis (smh.com.au)

There is speculation on which seven locations will be selected, and the State government is refusing to comment as the proposal goes to Cabinet. If Marrickville is selected as a priority housing zone, the focus on high rise would lead to the loss of the historic Marrickville town centre, and a complete change to the character of the area.

We have contacted the offices of our local State Member of Parliament, Jo Haylen, and our Federal representative Anthony Albanese. They have previously supported Marrickville residents on issues such as this, and we need their support again.

If you do not want Marrickville to become high rise units, it is important that you let our local MPs know. Jo Haylen’s office can be contacted on 9572 5900 and [email protected]; Anthony Albanese’s office is on 9564 3588 and [email protected] To have best effect, we recommend communication be clear and respectful.

If Marrickville is selected as a priority housing precinct, Save Marrickville residents will move to campaign mode, and this will require resources to get our message out. Please make any donations via this link. Even a small donation will help. If you want more information or you can help out, contact us at [email protected]  

Save Marrickville resident group supports the following principles for planning Marrickville, through the new Inner West Local Environment Plan:

1. Share growth and housing targets evenly across Inner West LGA, with 1,200 additional dwellings to be located in Marrickville/Midjuburi Ward (1)
2. Include Marrickville Commercial Centre Heritage Conservation Area in the LEP, with HCA and heritage items assessment supported by work completed in 2009, 2016 and 2022 (2)
3. Include in LEP all Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) recommended in the Inner West Heritage Review Residential 2022 (3)
4. Complete studies of the other identified potential HCAs for inclusion in the LEP, as recommended by the Heritage Review (4)
5. No new buildings in Marrickville to be over 5 storeys or 20 metres
6. Preserve industrial land, and not rezone it to residential
7. 25% of new dwellings built to be social housing (5)  
8. Remove exemptions or loopholes which grant additional storeys and density to developers, such as “affordable” housing that is not affordable
9. Boarding houses, studio and serviced apartments to count towards housing targets
10. New dwellings approved but not built before a new LEP, to count towards housing targets
11. Additional dwellings to be close to a train station or bus route, regardless of whether they are near a commercial centre.

These principles are consistent with those of the Save Dully Residents’ Action Group. The objectives of these principles are to:

• Develop a town centre and suburb which is in the best interests of people who live, visit and work in Marrickville

• Protect the character and heritage of Marrickville Commercial Centre, and our residential areas which are largely one and two storeys.

Notes:

1. Inner West LGA has a housing target of nearly 6,000 additional dwellings for the next six years under the new LEP. Marrickville/Midjuburi ward’s share should be 1,200 additional dwellings, with growth allocated evenly and fairly across the five wards of the LGA.
2. A Heritage Study completed in 2009 for Marrickville Council identified contributory (or period) buildings along Marrickville Road Commercial precinct for inclusion in a potential HCA. Further work in 2016 identified period/contributory buildings on Illawarra Road commercial precinct. The 2022 Heritage Review identified period buildings in the Marrickville Commercial Centre to be investigated for listing as heritage items; heritage and period buildings support HCA assessments. The Heritage Review 2022 recommended that a study of “Marrickville Road and Illawarra Road Shopping Centre” potential HCA be completed. Therefore significant work has already been undertaken and should be finalised, to assess Marrickville Commercial Centre as a potential HCA to include in the LEP. 
3. HCAs in Marrickville recommended for inclusion by the 2022 Heritage Review were: Marrickville Market Gardens Estate; Shrublands Estate; Inter-War Group; Woodlands Estate; Terrace Gardens Estate; Pilgrim Avenue; and The Warren. Details are in the review.
4. Studies of a number of potential HCAs identified by Council were not undertaken by the Heritage Review 2022, for reasons including the impact of COVID. These studies should be completed for potential inclusion of these HCAs in the LEP, as recommended by the review. In addition to Marrickville Commercial Centre, these potential HCAs in Marrickville to be studied are: O’Hara to Fletcher Streets; Illawarra to Carrington & Railway to Warren; Corner Livingstone & Marrickville Rds; Marrickville Road; Warren Shopping Precinct. Details including boundaries are in the 2022 Review.
5. New accommodation built in Marrickville will not be affordable for people on low incomes, unless a proportion is required to be social housing. The term “affordable housing” is vague and often not targeted to people on lowest incomes, while social housing is clearly defined, affordable and targeted to low income households. Note that some older affordable dwellings are lost when a site is redeveloped, and Greater London Council has a target of 30% for affordable housing in new developments. See Save Marrickville’s position on Affordable Housing.