Reshaping Norwest: A New Era for Employment

Written by

Charbel Abousleiman
Urban Planning Lawyer & Buyers Agent

12/08/2024

Arissa Group’s planning proposal to upzone 30,000 sqm plus of land 600 metres from Norwest Metro Station is in the final stages of planning.

Located at 9 – 15 Columbia Way in Norwest, the proponent originally lodged its rezoning proposal in September 2021. Hills Council’s feedback resulted in a reduction in density, a refinement to the massing and design of the project and the introduction of a new public road along the eastern side of the site, linking Spurway Drive with Columbia Way.

The latest revision of the proposal amends the building height from RL116 to RL155.85 and FSR from 1:1 to 2.5:1. The proposal is accompanied by a concept design prepared by Turner architects, with the intended vision for the site being to achieve a vibrant mixed-use commercial precinct, which activates all street edges and creates buildings with a series of publicly accessible spaces.

In particular, the design includes capacity for over 71,500 sqm of floor area, with an indicative collection of uses being commercial office space, food and beverage, a health club, a childcare centre and end-of-trip facilities. The proponent will make a financial contribution based on 2.8% of the capital investment value in lieu of the 1% s7.12 contribution which would ordinarily apply (to be secured via a voluntary planning agreement).

Photomontage of the mixed-use commercial precinct

With the site being improved by low scale office and warehouse buildings, this is a unique opportunity to respond to the evolving nature of Norwest and provide an active and hybrid destination within the existing urban fabric. Columbia Way corridor creates new opportunities for height, with no overshadowing impacts to surrounding residential uses.  

There are a number of rezoning proposals before Hills Council, which are comparable to the subject site, including:   

Site 

Zone 

Height 

FSR 

Status 

2 – 4 Burbank Place, Norwest 

B7 Business Park 

Previous – RL116 Amended – RL126  

Previous – 1.49:1 

Amended – 2.8:1 

Gateway issued  

21 – 25 Brookhollow Avenue, Norwest 

B7 Business Park 

Previous – RL116 

Amended – Part RL135 and RL184.25  

Previous – 1.49:1 

Amended – Part 4.1:1 and 6.5:1 

Gateway issued 

8 Solent Circuit, Norwest 

B7 Business Park 

Previous – RL116  

Amended – RL126 

Previous – 1.1:1  

Amended – 2.2:1 

Gateway issued and finalised  

Norwest Business park is a business community strategically connected to the CBD, centered around Parramatta and will grow connections to the future Western Parkland city and the Aerotropolis. The Sydney Metro Northwest has already begun to transform and trigger the reshape of the local neighbourhoods and the business park, encouraging a shift away from private car use to public transport, walking and cycling. The Northwest metro has vastly improved the level of public transport accessibility across Norwest Sydney.

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