9 Burroway Road, Wentworth Point - Mixed Use Development

Subject: Strong Objection to the Proposed Development at 9 Burroway Road, Wentworth Point

To whom it may concern

I am writing to formally object—unequivocally—to the proposed mixed-use development at 9 Burroway Road, Wentworth Point. As a homeowner in this community, I find it unacceptable that this development is being pushed forward despite its detrimental impact on local residents, infrastructure, and the environment. The construction of two nine-storey buildings will directly obstruct the water views currently enjoyed by many residents, including myself. This is not a minor inconvenience—it is a significant loss that will devalue our properties. While NSW law does not provide an absolute right to a view, it does recognise that loss of amenity can have financial consequences. Homeowners like myself should not be forced to bear the financial burden of a development that benefits private interests at our direct expense. If this development proceeds, I expect to see a clear compensation strategy addressing the property devaluation caused by this unnecessary overdevelopment.
Public Land Being Taken From the Community
This site was originally designated for public parklands, benefiting the entire community. The decision to hand this land over for private development represents a complete disregard for previous commitments. Open spaces are essential for community well-being, and repurposing this land for high-density residential and commercial use directly contradicts the promises made to local residents.
Overcrowding & Strain on Public Infrastructure
Wentworth Point is already facing severe overcrowding, and adding over 400 new apartments will only make the situation worse. Public transport—particularly during peak hours—is already at capacity. Traffic congestion is worsening, and the local roads are not built to sustain further population growth. The Council must acknowledge that this project will degrade, rather than enhance, the area’s liveability.
Active Community Opposition
The local community is mobilizing against this development. We are gathering resources, engaging legal and planning experts, and organizing collective action to block this proposal. Residents will not stand by while developers strip away our quality of life. We intend to hold all decision-makers accountable for any actions that disregard the interests of the community.
This development should not proceed in its current form. If it does, the Council must publicly explain how it intends to mitigate the very real harm this will cause to homeowners and the wider community. Additionally, a formal compensation plan should be established for those whose property values will be negatively impacted.

I expect a detailed response outlining the Council’s position and the steps it intends to take to address these concerns. The community is watching closely.

Sincerely,
Dr Trent Crawford

We object to the proposal on the grounds that it will impose additional stress to an already overstressed local infrastructure in both Wentworth Point and Rhodes. The two existing schools already concentrate traffic and parking needs adjacent to the proposed development, which will only exacerbate the problem. Wentworth Point has only one road access, which will be further strained. Many of those who use public transport will transit across to the Rhodes railway station increasing the foot traffic. In the absence of an overpass between Rhodes Central and the railway station there are frequent long holdups to cars passing as an endless stream of pedestrians doddle across the road in dribs and drabs. Note that another large development is being built in Leeds Street Rhodes along with other planned and approved developments in progress. It is already bad enough and getting worse. The new strains imposed by this development will not be confined to Wentworth Point but will materially impact Rhodes. The only good thing about it is that it would mask the hideous high school building which is a monument to 1950's soviet architecture.

The primary concern is that the project's location within Wentworth Point raises significant issues regarding overcrowding—currently, Wentworth Point has a density of approximately 24,754 persons per square km, making it one of the densest suburbs in Sydney. In contrast, suburbs such as Parramatta and Liverpool have densities around 10,000 to 15,000 persons per square km, significantly lower than Wentworth Point. Additionally, the lone road in and out of the peninsula already struggles to cope with demand, exacerbating traffic issues and limiting accessibility. Known for being one of the worst-planned areas in Sydney, the suburb faces significant challenges as it is, let alone with the addition of more apartments. While the reduction in the number of apartments and height limit is a positive step, it does not adequately address the pressing need for more green spaces in the area. Given this density and the existing scarcity of recreational areas, we believe it's essential to prioritize the creation and preservation of public parks and community spaces over new developments. A revised proposal that incorporates substantial green areas and effectively mitigates the impact of overcrowding would be more likely to receive support.

Dear Council Members,

I am writing to formally lodge my objection to the proposed development at Wentworth Point. As a long-term resident of this community for over 15 years, I am deeply concerned about the significant shortcomings of this proposal and its failure to address the needs of our densely populated suburb. Below, I outline my objections with appropriate reasoning, supported by the promises made to our community, the lack of adequate infrastructure, and the environmental and social impacts of the development.

1. Failure to Deliver Promised Community Amenities

The proposed development fails to deliver on key promises made to the Wentworth Point community, which are essential for the well-being and growth of our suburb.

a) Lack of a Community Playing Field

Promise: The community was promised a dedicated playing field requiring at least 1 hectare of land.
Reality: The current proposal does not allocate sufficient space for a playing field, despite the unanimous resolutions and petitions from the Parramatta Council and local residents supporting this need.
Impact: Wentworth Point is the most densely populated suburb in Australia, and the absence of a proper playing field denies residents, especially children and sports teams, access to essential recreational space. The shared school oval proposed in the development is insufficient for a projected population of 20,000-25,000 people and does not meet the needs of newly formed soccer, AFL, and other sports teams.
b) Exclusion of Boating Shed and Marina

Promise: The community was promised a boating shed and marina to enhance local activities, particularly given the presence of Homebush Bay and an active kayaking group.
Reality: The current proposal excludes these facilities, which is unacceptable and undermines the potential for community engagement and tourism.
Impact: A boating shed and marina would bring life and activity to the area, supporting local groups and fostering a sense of community. Their exclusion represents a missed opportunity to enhance the suburb’s appeal and functionality.
c) Reduction of Peninsula Park

Promise: The community was promised a 3.9-hectare Peninsula Park, excluding the planned school oval.
Reality: The proposal reduces this area by 1 hectare, which is unacceptable.
Impact: The loss of this land deprives the community of much-needed green space, which is critical for recreation, relaxation, and environmental sustainability.
2. Lack of a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA)

The absence of a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) for this development is deeply concerning, especially when compared to other major projects in the area.

Comparison with Other Projects:
Sanctuary Development: Contributed $30-40 million in community infrastructure.
Block H Development: Contributed $70 million in community infrastructure.
Current Proposal: This project offers zero community benefits, which is offensive and unacceptable.
Impact: The lack of a VPA means the community will not receive any infrastructure improvements, further exacerbating the strain on existing facilities and services.
3. Environmental Concerns

The proposed development poses significant risks to the local environment, which has already suffered from previous destruction.

a) Destruction of Saltmarsh

The area has already experienced the destruction of saltmarsh, and this development will further damage the restored saltmarsh.
Impact: This will negatively affect migratory birds that have relied on this habitat for centuries, disrupting local biodiversity and ecological balance.
b) Overshadowing of Public Spaces

The proposed buildings will overshadow the new park and school, reducing their usability and appeal.
Impact: This will diminish the quality of life for residents and limit the functionality of these public spaces.
4. Inadequate Facilities for a Growing Population

The proposed development does not adequately address the needs of Wentworth Point’s growing population.

Shared School Oval: The proposal suggests that a single school oval will serve both the High School and Primary School, as well as the broader community.
Impact: This is impractical and insufficient for a projected population of 20,000-25,000 people. It fails to provide the necessary space for sports teams, recreational activities, and community events.
5. Community Opposition and Demands

The proposed development has been met with strong opposition from the Wentworth Point community. As a long-term resident, I urge the Council to reject this proposal unless it addresses the following demands:

1 Hectare Playing Field: Allocate and develop at least 1 hectare of land as a dedicated playing field, complete with proper lighting, a playing surface, and change rooms for both male and female users.
Boating Shed and Marina: Include the promised boating shed and marina to support local activities and enhance community engagement.
Community Hall: Provide a community hall for local use, fostering social connections and events.
Environmental Protection and Restoration: Develop a comprehensive plan to protect and restore the local environment, including the saltmarsh and migratory bird habitats.
Conclusion

The proposed development represents a significant failure to meet the needs and expectations of the Wentworth Point community. It denies residents the promised amenities, fails to provide adequate infrastructure, and poses serious environmental risks. If approved, this project will have long-term negative consequences for our suburb, undermining its potential as a vibrant and sustainable community.

I strongly urge the Council to reject this proposal and work with developers to create a plan that truly serves the interests of the Wentworth Point community. Thank you for considering my submission.

I object to the project for following reasons:
1.Impact on the environment
Wentworth Point is already over developed and congested. 9 Burroway Road site is the only open space near the river left now. The proposed developments will definitely impact on the environment, such as destruction of habitats, the loss of green spaces, and the disruption of wildlife. The developments will also have effect on local ecosystems, the potential pollution from construction activities.
2 Impact on traffic and transportation
The proposed development could increase high level of congestion, affect local road networks, create safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists
3.Impact on noise levels and pollution
Noise pollution can significantly impact the quality of life for residents in the vicinity of a proposed development. Whether it’s noise from construction activities, increased traffic, or the operation of the completed project. It will also cause air or water pollution.
4.Impact on the character and appearance of the area
The proposed development will impact the visual aesthetics of the area. This site should be left to a open green space.
5.Impact on neighbouring properties and privacy
The proposed development will overshadow and overlook existing properties and infringe upon the privacy of residents. It will also block some water views of all residents living in nearby lower-level apartments.

In order to protect existing residents’ rights and ensure a fair balance between new developments and existing properties, I object to the project.

1. The Development Application should be required to recognise Arrowanlley as a significant Aboriginal Place requiring significant Indigenous consultation and connection in planning
There is ample evidence to indicate that Arrowanlley was a significant Aboriginal place. The proposal is completely inconsistent with the Connecting with Country Framework of ensuring a ‘Healthy Country’ interconnecting with this beautiful and fragile ecosystem. The proposal fails to connect with Indigenous groups. It destroys Aboriginal Cultural Heritage by allowing a building development that fails to integrate and enhance the existing Wangal cultural connections and effectively severs the possibility of connection to cultural landscapes.
It is part of the traditional lands of Woollarawarre Bennelong and the Wangal clan. It is recorded from the earliest days of European settlement in William Dawes's diaries as an important native fishing spot with shallow water and a sandy base. It was recorded as a meeting place for trade between tribal groups. The environment is noted by various British Officers including George Worgan and William Bradley as resembling a beautiful park as it was managed and modified by fire.
Indigenous rights, interests and perspectives must be genuinely incorporated in any land use proposal for this significant site. This should start with consultation with the local indigenous groups who have established the nearby Murama Healing Space, Murama Dance Ground, Wangal Walk, Murama River Rangers and Murama Youth Summit. There appears to be no attempt to connect with the indigenous knowledge or recognise their stated plan to ‘transform the Parramatta River and its tributaries into living waterways. The pilot program is based at the Murama Healing Space, Sydney Olympic Park. It aims to engage and develop young leaders and future custodians through activating the Wangal Walk on the Parramatta River.’
The development proposal seeks to extinguish the registered covenant requiring a community centre that could be shared or managed by local Indigenous groups and be a key cultural space for the Wangal Walk and an educational centre for connecting with country. The proposal threatens the Indigenous connection to the traditional ecology and biodiversity of the Peninsula particularly the nearby vulnerable Saltmarsh species Wilsonia Backhousei. It prevents the rehabilitation of riparian plantings promised in the 2004 and 2014 Homebush Bay West DCP. It threatens the biodiversity of the Parramatta River and Homebush Bay with light pollution for migratory birds and the breeding and roosting of the totemic White Bellied Sea Eagle.
2. The Development Application breaches mandatory measures to protect the threatened ecology and biodiversity of the Homebush Bay Peninsula
The proposed residential development site is the last piece of Crown Land in Wentworth Point. Before Landcom’s remediation of the Peninsula in 2018 it contained protected Swamp oaks, Coastal Saltmarsh and Mangroves. The Wentworth Point Precinct Development Control Plan 2014 identified that the Coastal Saltmarsh Threatened Ecological Community be protected and regenerated to increase the diversity and density of the community’s indicator species. (including the Wilsonia Backhousei species), and weeds be eradicated. Riparian vegetation be re-established along the foreshore around wetlands and to enhance existing mangroves and areas of Swamp Oak.
Landcom for the landowner Transport for NSW was paid $5,000,000 in 2014 to restore the Saltmarsh, Riparian vegetation and Wetlands under the Wentworth Point Peninsula Park Precinct Support Scheme Funding Agreement. In response to repeated community requests to take action to protect and rehabilitate the protected Saltmarsh colony Landcom has acknowledged that under their watch they have breached their legal responsibilities under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 to preserve and regenerate the Endangered Ecological Community (EEC). They have stated that they allowed the EEC to continue to be degraded (“including the existing salt marsh, which is heavily degraded”)
Landcom finally commenced rehabilitation of the threatened ecological community in 2024 after they were repeatedly reported to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the City of Parramatta Council for mowing the endangered ecology and allowing sediment runoff from their site to contaminate Homebush Bay. They have taken no action to rehabilitate the Grey Mangroves, or the threatened ecology of the Riparian corridor protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 NSW. They now seek to build multiple buildings within the protected zone, which will result in overshadowing and building runoff destroying the threatened ecological community. The community has no trust that after 17 years of breaching their legal responsibilities to protect the environment, they should now be trusted. They have demonstrated reckless indifference to their legal obligations to protect the fragile ecology of the peninsula.The new plan threatens the migratory birds that utilise the Waterbird Refuge, Homebush Bay and the Newington Nature Reserve on the Parramatta River. Substantial evidence shows the devastating impacts of artificial light from towers on migratory birds. The proposed tower's location near Haslams Creek and some of NSW’s most significant migratory bird sanctuaries means that the development application must be rejected. The development site threatens the White Bellied Sea Eagles nest in the Newington Nature Reserve woodland to the west of Wentworth Point. Eagle pairs were first recorded as successfully breeding in 2008. They nest in Grey Mangrove trees on the banks of the Parramatta River– which appears to be their favoured day-time roost spot. A poorly planned development like this risks interfering with these iconic birds.
3. The Development Application is inconsistent with good planning principles and should be rejected for its negative social impacts
Wentworth Point is the most densely populated suburb in NSW and the only suburb where all 15,000 plus residents live in apartments. As such we contribute substantially more to housing supply per capita than any other suburb in NSW. What we lack is public infrastructure to support the population. Almost all roads (Council owns 3 roads), footpaths, Seawalls, street lighting, gardens and community garbage services are owned and paid for by residents. We pay the same rates but currently have no public parks or playgrounds. Parks and playgrounds have been promised since the conception of Wentworth Point and substantial S7.11 funds have been collected but as with this development application State and Local Governments have failed to deliver on their plans and promises. The site has been promised for public facilities from parkland to Maritime facilities for over 20 years. This application removes the plan for long promised and desperately needed public infrastructure including Maritime facilities, parkland and a Community Centre. The evidence of the planned facilities includes;

● The Homebush Bay West DCP 2004 in many aspects including waterfront setback, riparian plantings, building heights and the ‘point park of approximately 4.8 hectares including foreshore Promenade’
● Wentworth Point Precinct Development Control Plan 2014 in many aspects including waterfront setback, riparian plantings, building heights and a ‘Peninsula Park a minimum size of 3.9 hectares’
● Wentworth Point Peninsula Precinct Support Scheme Funding Agreement was signed by the Landcom CEO David Pitchford in June 2014 and executed on 30/6/2014. Landcom were paid $5,000, 000 under the contrat to ‘design and construct a 3.9 hectare Peninsula Park by December 2016.’ The Peninsula Park includes ‘new wetlands, active and passive recreation areas, a new seawall/embankment etc.’. In mid 2021 Landcom contacted the City of Parramatta Council seeking to modify the executed agreement. The City of Parramatta Council declined the modification request.
● July 2014 Department of Planning rezones Wentworth Point Urban Activation Precinct including the Maritime Precinct which includes the area covered by the current Landcom Development Application. The Maritime aspects have been removed from this application.
● In March 2016 three conditions were added and registered on the title. The covenants covered the completion of the peninsula park, the inclusion of a community centre and the completion of a cul-de-sac at the end of Burroway Rd. This application substantially reduces Peninsula Park and removes the Community Centre.
Landcom subsequently lodged the current development application as a S4.55 modification, seeking to transfer the approved GFA from Lot 203. This clearly did not meet the legal requirements for a modification, but Landcom has persisted with a cynical attempt to defeat all proper planning processes by utilising the current housing crisis. The application is clearly nothing more than a desperate attempt to thwart proper planning processes to profit from land that rightly belongs to the community for community infrastructure.
4. The Development Application should be rejected because of the impact on the local schools and children
The land on the eastern side of the new High School must be used as a shared oval for the two Wentworth Point schools and the community. When Wentworth Point Public School was originally planned the design included a school oval/s. When it was built in 2018 the oval was removed, and the school capacity was reduced to 400. The school now has over 700 students and no play space. A new larger building allowing student numbers to exceed 1,000 has commenced construction. The current proposals will not address this and they will not get access to the proposed Joint Use Oval. Neither school The school comes close to meeting the required open space ratio of 10 sqm per student.

Further loss of open space.
Originally the peninsula was planned for full open space. Including playing fields, etc. Then it was amended to accommodate the building of a public school. Then further amended for a High Scholl. Then a road added. Now the current plan uses up the rest of the available space opposite my direct view with even more apartment buildings, again, high-set and not in scale with what was supposed to be open space.
The open space is required to service thousands of people living in apartments in Rhodes and Wentworth point and Wentworth Point West. This has been forgotten, in the never-ending pursuit of revenue from new housing. There is enough housing in the area - more than enough compared to adjacent suburbs - however our parkland is limited to small green space areas and dog parks between buildings.
This building is not in the spirit of the original concept of the area's development and it should be rejected in favour of open space and parkland. The loss of green space is proven to be a contributor to global warming, and this project does not comply with government objectives to create more parklands and natural habitat.
Loss of light
The building's scale means there will be a loss of light all year round for me. I live at the water's edge in Rhodes and the sun will be behind the building an hour earlier than currently, at different times of the year.

This is a good proposed development, providing over 400 much needed apartments to help alleviate the housing crisis.

It is in a great location for development as it's just a short walk away from Sydney Olympic Park ferry station and 20 mins walk away from Rhodes station (making it an easy trip into the city). It is also near plenty of commercial real estate and is in keeping with the development in much of the surrounding area.

I hope to see this approved post-haste.

The Land that is proposed for development is at the end on a single lane road on the end of a peninsula that is already the most overdeveloped area of land in Sydney. Road infrastructure will not be able to support the additional traffic. There is minimal off-street parking on the entire peninsula. The proposed light rail service, if it ever is funded, will be insufficient for the current population.

This proposed development, in addition to the proposed 41 storey towers on the adjoining block, will make the area completely unaccessible due to overcrowding.

The land on which the development is proposed was promised to the community for use as a peninsula park. This would have been the only area in the entire community for residents to relax in. More apartments are not desirable.

Wentworth Point has been turned into a Manhattan Island without the Central Park. This development proposal, in conjunction with the adjacent Block H development, will make the area a traffic nightmare, a public transport nightmare and a public education nightmare due to the lack of road infrastructure, public transport infrastructure and open space.

I strongly object to this development proposal.

Wentworth Point already the highest density residential area in Sydney and numerous high rise building are already under construction. The suburb also has limited road access - one road only which is already dangerous in peak hours. No further development should be allowed as the suburb is already overdeveloped!!! By allowing more building and taking land away from parks and recreation you jeopardise the well-being of the residents and turning the area into an overcrowded getto.

I would like to object to this project as Wentworth Point does not need anymore apartments in this area. What Wentworth Point needs is more green land for people to be able to use. There is very little land where people can get together or kids can play and even where dogs can run around. This whole area is just building after buildings with very little out door space.

The infrastructure is very poor with there only being 1 road in and out of Wentworth Point and the bus service needs a bit improvement not just improvements here and there.

The pedestrian bridge needs to be changed to allow bikes to be able to use the roadway as the shared path at present is far too narrow for all the people that use it.

Stop putting up more buildings and sort out the infrastructure

I submit that given this is the last piece of Public Land we need to take into account.
1. We are the most densely populated suburb in Australia, and we need what has been promised our community.
a) A community playing field which requires a minimum of 1 hectare of space on the proposed development
b) Our community has been promised a boating shed and a Marina. The current proposal rules this out and this is not acceptable, our community has a great bay (Homebush Bay) and we have an active Kayke group, and a Boat Shed and Marina will bring life and activity to our community
c) We were promised a 3.9-hectare Peninsula Park (NOT INCLUDING THE PLANNED SCHOOL OVAL). The 1 hectare of land which has been taken from our community, in this proposal, must be delivery as a playing field, in the mixed-use land. The local Parramatta Council has adopted a series of unanimous resolutions supporting our community stating this public land needs to be provided to the community in the form of playing fields and community facilities. Numerous local petitions have also strongly supported this.
2. There is no Voluntary Planning (VPA) agreement. This is in stark contrast to the other 2 major projects: namely Sanctury, which is providing between $30 - $40 million and Block H which is providing $70 million in infrastructure projects for the community. For this current proposed project to provide zero for our community is offensive and totally unacceptable
3. This area has already suffered in the destruction of Saltmarsh, and this development will destroy the already restored saltmarsh. This will have a negative impact on migratory birds who have used this land for centuries.
4. The proposed buildings will overshadow both the proposed new park and school.
In conclusion this will be the worst decision by the NSW State Government for our local community, if this goes ahead. It will deny our densely populated suburb all the things we were promised. The current school oval will be used by both the High School and Primary, and to suggest, like our local Member of Parliament has, that this will satisfy the needs of our community is insulting and incorrect. How can we have our newly formed teams in soccer and AFL (and other codes) have a regular home ground and practice ground. How can our community have the extra space we need and deserve. One School oval servicing 2 schools and projected community population of 20-25,000 people is unworkable.
In conclusion I have been a long-time resident of Wentworth Point, around 15 years, and this project cannot be supported unless it provides.
1. One hectare of land for a playing, which needs to be developed as such, with a proper playing surface, lighting, change rooms for both male and female
2. The Boat Shed which has been promised
3. The Marina which has been promised
4. A community Hall for local use
5 A plan to protect and restore the local environment.
The project should be opposed given all these important factors

- This will add more people to an Already at capacity Rhodes Train station.
- We do not have enough park lands and this will limit size of the current park.
- The views along Rhodes will be significantly impacted due to buildings and boats not to mention the noise of boats carrying across the water. This is going to effect real estate prices in Rhodes in a negative way!
- The roads and transport system are already at capacity, the new developments in Rhodes will add to this and we will get an influx of people from this new development coming to Rhodes to use the transport system.
- I find it amazing people are allowing this before any infrastructure is increased!!!
Regards,
Stuart L

I object to the project as I do not support the plan for it to include affordable rental housing dwellings. That area is also supposed to be used for the community, not to add another ~400 apartments to the already quickly becoming over developed waterfront.

If the affordable housing was removed entirely and it was capped to 5 storeys, with at least 2 storeys of shops and restaurants then I would support it.

I am so disappointed to see this project get to the public exhibition stage and under the banner of a state significant project. Squishing more people into this peninsular is not at all what the community needs. We need infrastructure.. bring back the plan for a rowing club.. that would nicely support the new high school you're building. Introduce a club with a place for the thousands of people that live here to socialise without noise complaint from the residents above.. introduce some bowling greens and pickleball courts so the adults have places to keep active and mentally well. This plan is so irresponsible it's makes me very disappointed in this government.