Walker Corporation's latest development application could ease Sydney's housing crisis woes, with 'Australia's largest single standalone DA ever lodged' promising more than 9,000 new homes in the south-west.
With approvals for new construction at record lows, developer Walker Corporation's 'Future Appin' project would provide thousands of homes into the housing supply pipeline in Greater Sydney.
The plans for Appin, located in the Macarthur region, include dwelling numbers in excess of 9,000 alongside more than $2 billion in state and local infrastructure, including water and sewage, shops, community facilities and sports ovals, as well as land for schools, roads and transport corridors.
The project area also includes a $1.9 billion business park set to provide 10,000 jobs to the area, along with 5 million square metres of conservation land, with revegetation programs to plant tens of thousands of new trees around the community to protect the local koala population.
Submitted to Wollondilly Shire Council, Walker engaged in a detailed consultation process to see the DA assessed and approved by June 2025.
The concept plan and first stage DA will be placed on exhibition as a package for public feedback later this year. If approved, work will immediately start on 600 homes.
Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant said the company had already invested more than $10 million into specialist independent reports including bushfire and flood management, koala and conservation protection, and significant infrastructure for road networks and public transport.
Renders of some of the planned parks and picnic spaces in the sprawling nature-focused project, which includes 5 million square metres of conservation land.
They also worked closely with council and government for months to ensure the proposal aligns with key planning documents and the approval process runs smoothly.
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"Through strong collaboration between council and the relevant state government departments, Walker looks forward to delivering housing, jobs, services and infrastructure to this region, which has been earmarked for urban renewal for decades,” Mr Gallant said.
“The wider Macarthur region is excited about our vision to create a high quality community for families to grow and explore in one of the most unique natural settings in Australia, with shops, cafes, schools, parks and public transport, all within walking distance to homes.”
Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, is keen to see the DA for new homes approved alongside the appropriate infrastructure.
“The NSW Government is serious about delivering quality housing for families in Sydney who are out of options to get on the housing ladder. This Walker proposal will provide people with the ability to work, live and play in our wonderful Macarthur community," Mr Warren said.
Artist renders of Walker’s Appin bushland play area, one of many outdoor areas in the masterplanned community.
It's welcome news during a time of housing shortages and affordability issues.
"When we look ahead to the future, given that we are continuing to see a lack of new construction or new construction isn't keeping pace with the rate that the population is growing, this housing shortage looks to be further entrenched unless something significantly changes," explained Eleanor Creagh, Senior Economist, PropTrack.
"If we look at the latest building approvals data, in seasonally adjusted terms, there was a little over 13,000 dwellings approved in the month. That is a 34% deficit to the 20,000 needed to fulfil the federal government's target of 1.2 million homes over the next five years."
"Many have pointed to the need to reform planning and zoning restrictions to unlock more housing supply and fast track approvals, and we are seeing some movement on that," said Ms Creagh.
"But easing planning restrictions isn't the only factor that needs to be addressed to solve housing shortages."
Renders of Future Appin's Wellness Centre, integrating community facilities within the sprawling development.
Walker's preparation of their development application for approval may provide a blueprint for future projects of larger scale.
Swifter approvals would allow higher density projects to significantly impact the housing shortage, providing opportunities for affordable houses in the notoriously difficult Sydney region.
"Over the past year, we've seen an uplift in enquiries and views per listing for new houses, as opposed to apartments" said Ms Creagh.
Realestate.com.au has learned that the 'Future Appin' project will provide a diversity of housing choices with a high proportion of low density housing with backyards and average block sizes of 450- to 500sqm.
Other housing types will include medium density terraces and townhouses of various designs to cater for all price points – including first home buyers.
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"We aim to be priced to allow first home buyers an opportunity to purchase their first home. Whilst pricing will be confirmed after the DA is approved and closer to sales release, previous Appin land prices started from $550,000," said a Walker representative.
With Sydney's current median house price sitting at $1.429 million, according to the PropTrack Home Price Index July 2024, it's no surprise Walker's last project in the area, Appin Grove, sold out within three months of planning approval.
The masterplanned community attracted first home buyers and young families keen on getting on the property ladder with a standalone house.
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