Australian developer Billbergia has formally submitted plans to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) covering a major new mixed-use precinct at Rhodes in Sydney’s Inner West.
Known as the Rhodes Bay Waterfront Masterplan, the proposal represents a $3.2 billion investment and would deliver more than 1,800 new apartments, extensive public open space, community infrastructure, and a new retail and dining precinct on land previously used for industrial purposes.
If approved, the project would become one of the most substantial waterfront redevelopments currently proposed along the Parramatta River and would contribute directly to the NSW Government’s housing supply targets under the Housing Accord.
Transforming Industrial Land Into a Mixed-Use Precinct
The masterplan spans 3.1 hectares across four amalgamated sites fronting Cavell Avenue, Averill Street and Leeds Street at the northern tip of the Rhodes peninsula. The location is one of the suburb’s last remaining north-facing waterfront sites and has historically been inaccessible to the public due to its industrial use.
Under the proposal, this land would be transformed into a high-density residential village with supporting retail, community facilities, and publicly accessible waterfront areas. A central feature of the project is the opening of the Parramatta River foreshore to public access for the first time in more than 100 years.
The development is designed to integrate with existing transport infrastructure and nearby community amenities, reinforcing Rhodes’ role as a key inner-west residential and employment hub.
Design and Built Form
The masterplan has been designed by SJB, an Australian architectural practice with extensive experience in large-scale urban renewal projects.
Plans show eight residential towers ranging in height from 22 to 40 storeys, delivering a total of 1,840 dwellings. The towers are arranged to balance density with access to daylight, open space, and river views, while providing active ground-level uses throughout the precinct.
According to the project team, the design seeks to calibrate building height, setbacks and orientation to support liveability outcomes for both residents and the surrounding community.
The precinct will also include a retail and dining area intended to support daily needs while contributing to street-level activity.
Public Open Space and Community Infrastructure
A defining element of the proposal is the scale of public open space. More than 16,000 square metres of new public land is planned, including community parklands, sporting facilities, water-based recreation areas, and a foreshore promenade.
This represents more than double the amount of open space delivered under an earlier Rhodes Place Strategy and aligns with long-term government plans for continuous walking and cycling connections along the Parramatta River.
The foreshore promenade would provide uninterrupted access along the river’s edge, linking the waterfront to the centre of the peninsula and connecting with surrounding pedestrian and cycling networks.
Community gardens and multi-purpose recreation spaces are also proposed as part of the public realm strategy.
Alignment With Housing Targets
Subject to approvals, Billbergia expects staged construction of the masterplan to commence by late 2026.
The delivery program has been structured to align with the NSW Government’s Housing Accord, which aims to deliver 322,000 new homes across Greater Sydney by 2029.
Under the proposal, approximately 800 apartments would be completed before 2029 and counted towards the Government’s housing targets. Full completion of the precinct is anticipated by 2034.
In addition to private housing, the masterplan includes more than $150 million in contributions towards State and Local Government infrastructure, including funding allocated for affordable housing.
Relationship to Existing Development at Rhodes Bay
The new masterplan sits adjacent to Rhodes Bay Stage 1, a separate Billbergia development already approved through an earlier State Significant Development process and currently under construction.
Stage 1 will deliver an additional 400 apartments and was approved prior to the preparation of the broader masterplan. Together, the two projects form a significant component of ongoing urban renewal across the Rhodes peninsula.
Billbergia has been active in the area for more than 15 years and is the largest private provider of housing and privately funded social infrastructure in the suburb.
Track Record of Local Infrastructure Delivery
Over the past decade and a half, Billbergia has delivered more than 3,000 homes in Rhodes, alongside a range of community and transport infrastructure.
Completed projects include:
- Phoenix Park, a 1.2-hectare public open space
- Rhodes Central Shopping Centre, comprising 13,000 square metres of retail
- The $63 million Bennelong Bridge, providing a pedestrian and cycle link across Homebush Bay
- The $90 million Rhodes Recreation Centre, which opened on 20 October 2025
The NSW Government has also committed funding for a new public primary school on an adjoining site. The school will include purpose-built classrooms and facilities designed to support the growing local population.
Planning Process and Next Steps
The SSDA submission to DPHI follows detailed planning work, technical studies, and early consultation undertaken by the project team.
The application will be subject to assessment by the Department and is expected to go on public exhibition in the New Year, allowing community members and stakeholders to review the proposal and provide feedback.
As a State Significant Development, the project will be assessed at a state level rather than through local council processes, reflecting its scale and strategic importance to housing supply and urban renewal objectives.
Urban Renewal Along the Parramatta River
The Rhodes Bay Waterfront Masterplan forms part of a broader pattern of redevelopment along the Parramatta River, where former industrial land is being progressively converted into residential and mixed-use precincts with improved public access.
The project has been compared in scale and ambition to established waterfront destinations such as Blackwattle Bay and Pirrama Park, both of which have become active public spaces following similar transformations.
If approved, the Rhodes Bay development would further extend continuous public access along the river and reinforce the role of waterfront precincts in accommodating population growth while delivering public amenity.
Industry Context
Large-scale masterplanned developments such as Rhodes Bay are increasingly being used to address housing supply pressures in Sydney, particularly in well-connected inner and middle-ring suburbs.
By concentrating density near transport, employment and services, these projects aim to deliver housing efficiently while supporting broader infrastructure outcomes.
The Rhodes Bay proposal will now proceed through the statutory assessment process, where its final form, staging, and conditions will be determined.
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