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.