Provincial Investments is asking the State’s planning department for a major planning uplift on its key Schofields landholding.

In particular, Provincial’s proposal relates to prime residential land at 249, 259 and 271 Railway Terrace in Schofields. What is proposed is a height increase from 16 metres to 32 metres and a mapped FSR increase from 1.75:1 to 3.5:1 under the Central River City SEPP.

The context of Alex Avenue Precinct has changed since the 2010 studies that were prepared to inform the rezoning. Notably, the announcement of the extension of the Northwest Metro to Schofields and St Marys through to the Western Sydney Airport.

The proposed amendments to the building height and FSR recognise the opportunity to provide an increased residential density that better aligns with the strategic location of the site and its proximity to public transport, the town centre, open space and employment and education facilities.

Of the anticipated dwelling yield generated by the improved planning controls, being 1751 dwellings, 578 of these dwellings will comprise a mix of build-to-rent dwellings, as well as social and affordable housing dwellings to respond to the needs of the community. At a time when the wait list for social housing in NSW is almost 60,000, the demand for social housing, particularly in urban release areas, has never been greater.