A massive new apartment proposal in Sydney's inner west has been blasted as Australia's 'densest development,' with critics warning that surging immigration and runaway population growth are forcing residents into 'termite mound' living. The plan to transform the Marrickville Timberyards into a mixed-use precinct was approved in February by the NSW Independent Planning Commission.
Development Details
The development will range from five to 14 storeys and include 1,231 build-to-rent apartments and studios, along with 726 bike spaces and a car-share scheme. Build-to-rent is a model where developers retain ownership and rent out units, rather than selling them individually. Developers argue the project will ease pressure on Sydney's tight rental market. The site will also feature a communal indoor residents' space, a creative arts hub, 10,200 square metres of public open space, and 1,425 square metres of retail space on a 2.2-hectare site.
Community Backlash
The proposal has come under fire from community groups, with Changing Sydney dubbing it 'the densest development in Australia.' Some locals have expressed concerns about living conditions, with one critic questioning how 1,160 units and only 350 car spaces could function. Others have backed the project, citing an urgent need for more housing.
Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith has joined the backlash, warning that soaring immigration and rapid population growth are changing the Australian dream forever. He fears homes with backyards could disappear from major cities by 2050, replaced by high-rise towers where people are 'crammed in like termites.' Smith stated, 'We're moving to a situation similar to battery hens. We used to have free-range chooks in our housing, but now it's as if we're going to the battery chook version, where people live in high-rises, crammed in like termites.'
Smith argued that humans have not evolved to live in ultra-dense apartments and that life was better in his youth when families could afford a backyard. He said, 'If a young Australian was shown a photograph of a typical 1960s house with a backyard versus a dense unit complex, there is absolutely no doubt they would choose the home. We're forcing them into these termite mound-type, high-rise developments, which is not good for our young people.'
Developer and Commission Response
A spokesperson for the Independent Planning Commission stated that the development was approved after extensive community consultation, including a public meeting and written submissions. Strict conditions of consent were imposed to mitigate potential impacts.
Jonathan Combley, developments general manager for The Living Company, which runs the project, said they are 'delivering much-needed housing in a well-connected inner-city location, at a time when Sydney is facing a serious housing shortage.' He added, 'Some of the language used to describe the project doesn't reflect the reality of what's been approved. The density is consistent with planning settings for sites close to transport and jobs, and it's exactly this kind of development that helps make cities more sustainable and liveable over time.'
On parking and traffic, Combley noted that the project aligns with modern planning approaches prioritising public and active transport, as residents in Marrickville are far less reliant on cars. He emphasised that increasing supply is part of the solution to housing affordability, with build-to-rent delivering secure, long-term rental options.
Population and Tax Concerns
Smith also raised broader issues about Australia's population growth, advocating for a population plan with an optimum of about 30 million total population. Australia's current population is 27.2 million. He supports immigration at a rate of 70,000 per year, which he says would round off the population at 30 million.
Economist Leith van Onselen has noted that Australia's population will grow by 13.4 million over 41 years to 2065-66, with 81 per cent of that growth projected to occur in capital cities. Smith suggested removing tax advantages associated with buying houses, particularly for investors, to help young couples afford homes with backyards. He said, 'Owning a home used to be because you wanted a home to bring up your children. Now you buy a home to become a millionaire, and that rules out the next generation.'
Those incentives are up for review in the next budget, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers admitting Labor's upcoming tax reforms will focus on housing. The government is considering scrapping negative gearing and reducing the capital gains tax discount. Chalmers stated, 'When we think about intergenerational unfairness, some of the drivers are in housing and the tax system. We're very concerned about fewer younger people being able to buy their own home, so housing supply is the main game.'
