Sydney's Parramatta Road slabs slated for 340 new apartments, including social housing
The NSW government will convert four vacant concrete slabs beside Parramatta Road in Haberfield into 340 apartments, with about a third reserved for social housing.
A NSW government initiative will repurpose four idle concrete slabs along Parramatta Road in the inner-west suburb of Haberfield into a residential complex of four apartment blocks ranging from three to seven storeys. The proposal, emerging from the state's surplus-land audit, aims to create 340 new dwellings, with 30 % earmarked for social housing, and includes landscaped communal areas, car and bike parking, and ground-floor community uses.
Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper described the location as well-served by a bus route, a major supermarket, schools and other amenities. Housing and Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson called the site a “fantastic opportunity” to alleviate the housing shortage for low-income and essential workers. The Inner West Council has long advocated rezoning of former WestConnex dive sites, and the proposal follows a recent Landcom build-to-rent project in Annandale. Homes NSW is inviting public comment before submitting the state-significant development application to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
Why it matters
It turns unused government land into much-needed housing, helping address Sydney's affordability crisis.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes the government’s housing plan and its social-housing component, while centrist coverage highlights resident opposition and environmental concerns about endangered parrots.
LEFT
Frames the story as a state-led housing initiative that will repurpose idle land into 340 new apartments, with a third set aside for social housing to address shortages.
CENTER
Frames the story as a contested rezoning effort, stressing local residents’ and opposition MPs’ calls to halt high-density development that threatens endangered swift parrots.
The left emphasises
- 340 new dwellings
- 30 % earmarked for social housing
- government’s surplus-land audit and housing shortage relief
In this story
