Parramatta Metro TOD approved, apartments planned as part of scheme

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has granted concept approval for the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) above the future Parramatta Metro Station, marking a major milestone in the Sydney Metro West program and broader Parramatta CBD transformation.

Led by Sydney Metro, the approved concept outlines four new mixed-use building envelopes above and adjacent to the station site, on a 25,498 sqm land parcel bounded by George, Church, Smith, and Macquarie Streets.

The development allows for up to 176,360 sqm of GFA—primarily for commercial and retail uses. Indicative plans flag around 111 apartments in one of the towers, a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom dwellings.

The capital investment value (CIV) of $1.4 billion is expected to deliver 1,410 construction jobs and support over 9,750 full-time roles post-completion. The approved scheme also includes up to 451 basement parking spaces, supporting a high-traffic location with multimodal transport links.

The concept plan was assessed under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 as a State Significant Development. It aligns with broader NSW Government strategies, including the Greater Sydney Region Plan, Central City District Plan, and Future Transport Strategy 2056.

Key urban integration strategies, such as Civic Link extension, active street interfaces, and design excellence review by the Sydney Metro Design Review Panel, formed core parts of the proposal evaluation.

Public Interest and Key Benefits

According to the Department’s assessment, “the project is in the public interest,” with strong alignment to Parramatta's role as Sydney’s Central River City. The Department cited the following reasons for approval:

• The project would provide a range of benefits for the region and the State as a whole, including additional employment space and residential accommodation in a highly accessible location.
• The project is permissible with development consent, and is consistent with NSW Government policies including the Greater Sydney Region Plan, Central City District Plan, Future Transport Strategy 2056 and the Parramatta Local Strategic Planning Statement.
• The impacts on the community and the environment can be appropriately minimised, managed or offset to an acceptable level, in accordance with applicable NSW Government policies and standards.
• The issues raised by the community during consultation and in submissions have been considered and adequately addressed through changes to the project and the conditions of consent. Engagement on the project is considered to be in line with Undertaking Engagement Guidelines for State Significant Projects, including the community participation objectives outlined in these guidelines.

New apartment developments in Parramatta

New apartment developments in Parramatta have been few and far between in recent years.

Builder-developer Deicorp is currently delivering Cosmopolitan by Deicorp, the burgeoning developer's first in the area.

The transport-focused developer, known for creating well-connected communities, secured a prime site at the eastern end of Parramatta CBD on Hassall Street. It's conveniently located next to the Robin Thomas Light Rail stop and just a short walk to Parramatta Train Station.

Thanks to the prized corner block, with no buildings to the north or east, residents at Cosmopolitan by Deicorp will enjoy protected views over the adjacent Robin Thomas Reserve and James Ruse Reserve—views that are rare in the growing CBD.

The development's location also offers easy access to nature, being less than 200 metres from the Parramatta River and Queen's Wharf Park.

The two 45-level towers, which will home just over 600 apartments when completed in late 2027, have been designed by Turner Studio to hero the park views as much as possible, as well as views over the river and the Parramatta skyline to the west.