239 Merrylands Road Merrylands - Voluntary Planning Agreement

Architect's blueprintsNovember 2022 Update:

Voluntary Planning Agreement executed on 9 Nov 2022. 


September 2022 update:

Consultation has closed on the draft Voluntary Planning Agreement for 239 Merrylands Road Merrylands, Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback.


August 2022 consultation:

Council invited you to have your say on a draft Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) for land at 239 Merrylands Road, Merrylands.

The subject site and adjoining land, which is located in Cumberland City’s strategic centre of Merrylands, is approved for a large mixed-use development containing five mixed use buildings (A to E) with retail and commercial tenancies, a childcare facility and 776 residential apartments over 4 levels of basement parking with associated stormwater, public domain and landscaping improvement works.  Construction is underway on the project.

On 31 July 2021, Council endorsed a planning proposal (rezoning application) to amend the site’s height and density controls to facilitate the construction of up to 55 additional residential apartments on top of Buildings D and E. The proposal was forwarded to the Department of Planning and Environment, with a Gateway Determination issued for the proposal on 4 March 2022.  Further consultation on the planning proposal occurred from 15 June 2022 to 14 July 2022. 

As part of the planning proposal, Merrylands Investment Co Pty Ltd (the Developer) offered to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Council. The VPA is a mechanism for Council to capture the increase in land value that is likely to arise from the proposal and redirect those funds back into the local area for the benefit of the broader community. Preparation of the VPA is guided by Council’s Planning Agreements Policy and Guideline.

The draft VPA seeks to provide the following public benefits:

  • Construction and dedication to Council (in perpetuity) of a street sweeper parking and storage space with other amenities in the development site, to assist in the ongoing cleansing and maintenance of the public domain in the Merrylands town centre and new Merrylands Civic Square.
  • A monetary contribution towards local infrastructure improvements and public domain upgrades in the Merrylands town centre.

The draft VPA also proposes an offset to the s7.11 local infrastructure contribution for the development. This offset is for the value of fitout costs related to the street sweeper parking and storage space.

On 20 July 2022, Council endorsed in-principle the public benefit offer for the proposal and for the draft VPA to be placed on public exhibition.  A further report will be provided to Council prior to making a final decision on the matter. All submissions relating to VPA to be sent to PP 2021/0001. 

Any questions?

If you have any questions about this project, please contact:

Harinee De Silva
Senior Strategic Planner
P: (02) 8757 9000
E: Council@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Join the conversation and have your say!