This project looks like a brilliant addition to the neighbourhood. Please consider shifting the mix of dwelling sizes to include more three and four bedroom units that will accomodate growing families.

I especially love the commercial spaces on the ground floor and the focus on active transport over private vehicle use (via the low car parking amount and huge amount of bike parking).

Please use development contributions to build a cycleway along Victoria Rd Marrickville. This will alleviate the wailing and gnashing of teeth you’ve likely heard from other car-brained Marrickville residents regarding traffic and parking. This site is perfect for build-to-rent, and could help Sydney’s shift from car dependency to greater use of cycling and public transport.

Good luck and well done!

I have objections to the Timberyards Project in Marrickville NSW
I feel that the project is too large for the area. Would impact the light and sun from surrounding homes and parks Not enough parking spaces have allocated with only 230 spaces for 1188 units
There would be an dramatic increase in motor vehicles and pedestrians in the area creating more traffic flow problems which are already severe at times on Victoria Rd.
As there will be an increase in cars in causing congestion in Farr St which is the main entrance to Marrickville Public school which is making the area unsafe for children and parents to drop off and pick-up children.
As indicated in the propsal there would be shops, cafes and restaurants in the development which would attract visitors from out of the area with cars needing parking. Also Electric bikes and scooters all which are unregisted and uncontrolled by police or council rangers would be coming into the area .
I think that the propsal is too large and bulky for the area

1. To whom it may concern,
I object to SSD-76927247 - The Timberyards by RTL Co.
The plan to build the 8-storey building located on Sydenham Rd exceeds the allowed 3-storey height limit by a considerable amount. As a result, it will cause major shading of the homes on Sydenham Road, and many of us will get less than 30 minutes of sunlight daily—an issue that could have a detrimental effect on our health and quality of life and affect residents existing minimal parking availability.

. To whom it may concern,
I object to SSD-76927247 - The Timberyards by RTL Co.
The developer's proposal for the building located on Sydenham Rd, an 8-storey structure, goes well beyond the 3-storey height restriction. This will create significant overshadowing for the homes along Sydenham Road, leaving many residents with less than half an hour of sunlight each day, which could pose serious risks to our health and overall well-being.

The permitted height is 3 storeys, but the proposal is 8 storeys. This is not only excessive and illegal but will also overshadow surrounding homes, homes will lose majority of our sun, negatively impacting the community. For some homes this is more than the legal limit of shadowing allowed. Proposed 1,188 units, with only 216 parking spaces planned. It's going to get even harder to park in surrounding streets. Less than 10% of these units are set aside for Affordable Housing. This plan does not provide enough housing for low-income residents. In today's climate we need more housing assistance.

I object to SSD-76927247 – the Timberyards by RTL Co.

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed large development project across the road from my residence on Farr Street. While I understand the necessity for urban development, I believe this particular project will significantly impact the quality of life for residents in this area, specifically those directly across the road.

The knock down and construction phase of this project will undoubtedly bring with it significant noise and dirt. Constant construction noise, large vehicle access and vibrations from drilling are all of concern. What plans have you put in place for any foundational damage to houses? Moreover, the inevitable dust and dirt generated by the construction activities will not only be an eyesore but also pose potential health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions. There are small children living on the street and many parents use Farr Street to walk to the nearby primary school. Large vehicles are inherently dangerous for pedestrians.

Another concern is the lack of sunshine and overshadowing that my house and the buildings on Farr Street will receive in the morning. The new development is expected to be quite tall (more about that later), which would cast long shadows over the existing homes. This reduction in natural light will lead to an increase in dampness and mould, in an already mould-prone house. Have you done the projections on how much direct sun the houses will receive? If so, I would like to see it. Existing residents should not be negatively affected by this.

Another major issue is parking. Our area is already facing a shortage of parking spaces, and the introduction of this large development is likely to exacerbate the problem. With an influx of new residents and visitors, finding available parking spots will become increasingly difficult, leading to frustration and potential conflicts among neighbours. The development will have 216 spaces for the proposed 1188 units. We would need to have residents' parking permits for our side of the street. Traffic on Victoria and Sydenham Roads is already appalling in rush hour and even on weekends. Assuming 1 car per household, this can only increase the gridlock and cause frustration and animosity among drivers.

Is a six-storey apartment block directly opposite residential houses even legal? Building A will loom over Farr Street. I’ve read that the heights proposed breaches the Local Environment Plan. If this is approved, it creates a precedent for other development to breach the laws. Can the buildings on Farr Street be smaller? Again, existing residents should not have to be negatively affected. We live in a small and lovely community on Farr, Edward and Gorman Streets.

In light of these concerns, I urge the council to reconsider the scale and design of this development project. I believe it is essential to strike a balance between urban growth and the well-being of the existing community. I hope my concerns will be taken into account, and that alternative solutions can be explored to minimise the negative impact on our neighborhood. I know the development is inevitable. We’ve lived on Farr Street for 14 years and I know there are not many actual residents on the street but we still deserve to be taken into consideration.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I object to the proposed Timberyard Community development.
This Project is far too large for the physical area and situation within central Marrickville.
The buildings in the centre are extreme at 13 stories high and will dominate the skyscape. The surrounding area looking West and south of the Project is single storey or with apartment blocks of 4 or 8 stories- nothing like the 13 stories proposed.

The 7 buildings are crowded onto the site which has very restricted access mainly from Mitchell street for residents and commercial deliveries and parking. The Farr Street access brings a lot more traffic to the ‘drop off and pick up area’ of Marrickville Public School and is a safety hazard to the school children. The Mitchell Road entry will add a lot more cars and trucks to Victoria Road and bank the traffic up further with turning right. As Mitchell Road does not go through there will be congestion of turning around trucks and cars belonging to the commercial section that will operate on Victoria Road.
The Project will have too many people in this space. The 1188 units are said to be for 2500 renters but since there are 40 3 bedroom and 272 2 bedroom units it would be expected that families of at least 4 people would be in the 2 bedroom units and more in the 3 bedroom units bringing occupants to even 5000 people.
Evacuation and emergence access for this large amount of people is in adequate. In the case of fire access for fire engines is in sufficient to easily reach each building and if evacuation was necessary egress for pedestrians will cause choke points of people frantically trying to get out.
Ambulance access for occupants is far away from some buildings and will involve stretchering for quite some distances and take valuable life saving time away from care.
Given the State Government emphasis on providing for essential workers, the amount of affordable housing is inadequate. Marrickville with its excellent public transport is a central area for staff at RPA hospital, university staff and students schools, medical staff and schools. This Project needs to provide more affordable units for these people and their families. The affordable housing needs to have more 2 and 3 bedroom apartments to cater for families

The Project is unsustainable in regard to traffic and parking. The local streets are already fully parked out and the long day Council car park- 112 spaces- in Frampton Avenue is full by 8am each day. Many dwellings in this street already cannot find a carpark as their property does not have provision for car parking. Often when I go out in the morning and return in the afternoon there are no parking spaces for residents either on the street or in the long time carpark which is only 112 spaces. This massive Project is only providing 216 spaces for 1188 units and occupants will need to find parking in our local streets which already cannot cater for present residents. Our streets cannot take any more cars seeking parking.
The Project is only providing 216 parking spaces for the 1188 units. While Public Transport is accessible some households will have two cars even if some have none. It is inconceivable as to where up to even 5000 people or even the stated 2500 people will find space to park as the streets are full. The traffic created by this number of cars plus commercial trucks and deliveries cannot fit into our current streets. Currently Sydenham, Marrickville and Victoria Roads are packed backed up and even difficult to enter and will not be able to fit in any more traffic.
Risk of car accidents and accidents to occupants as pedestrians and school families and children will be at a dangerous level as frustrations rise.
Heat and Trees- Marrickville currently has a shortage of mature trees to provide shade and absorb reflective heat from footpaths and roads. More mature trees are needed not less. Removal of 22 street trees needs to be replaced with mature trees to cool footpaths and roads.
High rise apartments require the shade of mature trees to minimise the heat reflected from the blocks and surfaces between. The current proposal fails to address this need.
Within this Project there is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create and urban oasis that not only can be enjoyed by the large number of people living there but enhance the surrounding areas and the suburb as a whole. Creating a habitat for birds and small creatures, with mature trees will provide shade and cool areas rather than the hard paving and small bushes and grasses planned.
Conclusion
Marrickville has received World Wide recognition for the redevelopment of the old Marrickville Hospital site. Our Library is held up as a model of catering for current and future needs of a cosmopolitan Marrickville Population in a sustainable and respectful way regarding our heritage- traditional usage and Aboriginal Culture.
The area covered by this Proposal holds the promise of meeting the challenge of housing our citizens in an creative, respectful vision equal to that shown by our Library. This proposal falls far short of this vision.

These proposed megalithic towers need to be retired to the dirt bins of history and a proposal that is an exemplar of Marrickville as an exciting, creative urban centre be put forward.

I have raised just a few points above to outline my Objection. There are many other aspects that need to be raised and will be examined in the Review of this Project which I together with other local residents are requesting.
I request acknowledgement of receipt of this Objection

I understand the need for more medium density housing in our area but I am concerned about the size (1,000+ apartments and 10+ stories) of this development. I have concerns about the impact on roads around the site and particularly into and out of Frampton Ave. In addition the site is disproportionate to the surrounding housing - single or double storey vs 10+ storeys. The current proposal will have a negative impact on the streetscape, public amenity and general living conditions in the area. I would prefer to see buildings limited to 6 storeys

I am deeply concerned about the $1.5 billion Timberyards development in Marrickville, which plans to add 1,188 rental apartments across seven buildings. With only 278 parking spaces, overflow will flood already congested streets like Garners Avenue, where parking is already being reduced. Public transport upgrades, limited to more buses and metro access, are not enough to support this scale of development. The site is in a flood-prone zone from Addison Road to Sydenham Station, an area that has historically avoided medium-high rises for this reason. Despite being pitched for families, only 40 of the 1,188 units are three-bedroom. This project raises serious concerns about the current infrastructure, flooding risks, and whether it truly meets the community’s needs.

Re: Objection to the Proposed Timberyards Development (SDD-76927247)

To Whom It May Concern,

I strongly object to the proposed Timberyards Community development in Marrickville, NSW. As a local resident, I have significant concerns regarding the scale, environmental impact, and community disruption this project will cause. While I attended a meeting held by the site owners at Marrickville Bowling Club years ago, I did not receive any flyers or information regarding community consultation until the DPHI notification in February 2025. This lack of transparent community engagement is deeply concerning.

Cultural and Environmental Concerns

This development is planned on Gumbramorra Swamp (Wetlands) in Gadigal Country, an area with deep historical significance to Aboriginal communities. The development plan mentions consultation with Aboriginal groups but lacks clarity on which groups have been consulted and the process followed. It is imperative that full archaeological assessments be conducted before any excavation begins. I urge Government Architect NSW to invite Mr. Dillon Kombumerri to review this plan to ensure best practices are followed in honoring the cultural and historical significance of this land.

Furthermore, the environmental impact is unacceptable. The project has received a BDAR Waiver, which should be rejected. The bulk and scale of this development will create an ‘urban heat island’ effect due to inadequate mature tree planting. The landscape plan primarily features small-crowned, dwarf species unlikely to exceed 5 meters in height. The proposal misses an opportunity to integrate meaningful green infrastructure, such as linking Wicks Park, Marrickville Public School grounds, Henson Park, and Addison Road through green corridors. Additionally, rooftop gardens in a 30 ANEF zone directly under a flight path are neither viable nor a substitute for proper green space.

Excessive Scale and Overdevelopment

The proposed buildings, particularly the central 13-story towers, are grossly out of scale with the surrounding low-rise residences, which consist mostly of single-story homes and apartment blocks no taller than four to eight stories. The seven buildings are crammed into an already congested area, lacking sufficient open space and community-focused design.

The high density of 1,188 units, projected to house between 2,500 and 5,000 residents, is excessive for the available space. The current plan lacks proper contingency for alternative housing for displaced long-term Farr Street residents, many of whom are low-income families. Additionally, the overemphasis on co-living spaces at the expense of family-oriented housing does not reflect the current needs of the community. Given the government’s emphasis on housing for essential workers, the project should include significantly more two- and three-bedroom affordable units.

Traffic, Parking, and Safety Issues

The proposal’s transportation and parking plans are inadequate and will create significant congestion and safety hazards. With only 216 parking spaces for 1,188 units, residents will be forced to compete for already scarce street parking. The local council car park in Frampton Avenue is fully occupied by 8 AM daily, and Marrickville, Sydenham, and Victoria Roads are already at capacity with heavy traffic congestion. The additional influx of cars and commercial deliveries will exacerbate existing traffic problems and pose serious risks to pedestrians.

The placement of vehicle access points on Farr Street is particularly problematic. Farr Street is a key pedestrian route for students at Marrickville Public School, and the increase in traffic directly contradicts the NSW Government’s Active Transport to School Program. Additionally, the Mitchell Road entry will worsen congestion on Victoria Road, creating further bottlenecks.

Emergency and Infrastructure Concerns

The project does not provide adequate emergency access. With up to 5,000 potential residents, evacuation routes and emergency vehicle access are critically insufficient. Fire trucks may struggle to reach buildings, and in case of an emergency, pedestrian egress will become dangerously congested. Ambulance access is also inadequate, requiring stretcher transport over long distances, potentially delaying critical care.

Conclusion

This development, as currently proposed, fails to adequately address environmental sustainability, community integration, and essential infrastructure. It lacks proper consultation with Indigenous groups, does not provide enough affordable family housing, and places excessive strain on local roads and services. The bulk and scale of this development are inappropriate for the area and will significantly diminish the existing community's quality of life.

I request that this objection be formally acknowledged and that a comprehensive review of the Timberyards development be conducted with meaningful community engagement and revisions that prioritize sustainable, livable outcomes.

Sincerely,

Adrian Hinder
61 Frampton Ave
Marrickville NSW 2204
0430 555 994