Innovative partnership delivering $1.3 billion+ of mixed-tenure housing

Prolific Australian developer Billbergia, in partnership with Homes NSW, is on track to deliver 1,300 new dwellings across Greater Sydney by 2026, including critically-needed new social and affordable housing – providing new homes for 3,000 people.

With a combined value of over $1.3 billion and spanning three landmark mixed-tenure developments at Lidcombe, West Ryde and Arncliffe, all three projects are designed, funded and delivered by Billbergia on NSW Government land sites adjacent to key transport hubs.

Presenting an innovative solution to the ongoing housing crisis, these mixed-tenure projects are the result of a tri-party partnership between Billbergia, Homes NSW and Community Housing Providers (CHPs) Evolve Housing Group and St George Community Housing (SGCH).

Both Lidcombe and West Ryde have been delivered in the past six months and over 1,300 residents have already moved in to their 526 new homes.  Both of these successful developments are working in partnership with Evolve Housing for tenancy management services.

Construction is also well underway on a third collaboration project – this time with two CHP’s – Arncliffe Central – comprising 804 new apartments in Sydney’s inner south and earmarked to be the largest-mixed tenure housing development to date – with both Evolve and SGCH.

Importantly, these three projects are delivering diverse and affordable housing outcomes, with 41% of dwellings at Lidcombe Rise being social and affordable, 20% of The Parade at West Ryde dedicated to social housing, and project partners seeking support to deliver almost 75% of dwellings at Arncliffe as social, affordable and essential worker rental housing.

Homes NSW CEO Rebecca Pinkstone said: “These innovative partnerships with developers like Billbergia and Tier 1 community housing providers exemplify our commitment to addressing the critical shortage of housing across Greater Sydney.

“In tackling the housing crisis head-on, projects like Lidcombe Rise, The Parade, and now Arncliffe Central mark significant progress and demonstrate our commitment to fostering vibrant, inclusive communities with accessible housing options for all.”

Amid the ongoing crisis of affordability and lack of rental stock enveloping Greater Sydney, and with a critical limited supply of social housing, mixed-tenure developments present a crucial step forward in addressing housing inequality.

“The ability to deploy government land assets for redevelopment makes it uniquely feasible to deliver high-quality social, affordable, and private-market homes at scale, helping to address the housing shortage. Our partnerships with Homes NSW, Evolve Housing and St George Community Housing, allow us to redevelop government land into thriving and highly connected mixed-tenure communities,” said Rick Graf, Development Director at Billbergia.

With construction now well underway, Arncliffe Central is located next to Arncliffe train station and comprises 804 apartments over four individual towers. Set above a retail podium with a new public park, a childcare centre, and a community centre & library, it will deliver a landmark 196 dwellings dedicated to social housing – and pending further support from government partners an additional 406 affordable and essential worker rental homes.

Evolve Housing CEO Lyall Gorman said: “our three major partnerships with Billbergia and Homes NSW have enabled us to take massive steps forward to addressing the shortages of Social & Affordable housing in the Sydney basin.  Extraordinary teamwork has delivered extraordinary results”.

“It’s allowed us to provide brand-new dwellings to people who, in some cases, have been waiting for years to access fit for purpose housing. It is rewarding to see so many people in homes that are secure and well-located, thanks to projects like these”.

St George Community Housing CEO Scott Langford said: “Billbergia are deeply committed to creating great places and diverse, thriving communities. That is why we are delighted to partner with them to deliver more diverse and affordable homes at Arncliffe Central.

“As NSW’s largest tier one community housing provider, we embrace partnerships with trustworthy developers and builders to deliver more homes for more people in locations well serviced by public transport.

Billbergia’s construction commencement on the landmark Arncliffe Central precinct comes on the back of the recent completion on its successful sell-out mixed-tenure projects in Lidcombe and West Ryde in partnership with Evolve Housing and Homes NSW.

Private apartments rapidly sold off-the-plan within Lidcombe Rise and The Parade, with almost 90% sold to owner-occupiers – reflecting the strong market appetite for transport-oriented mixed-tenure developments.

According to Saul Moran, Development Director of Planning & Design at Billbergia, “our projects are testimony to what can be achieved through private and public sector collaboration with community housing providers, unlocking significant social and economic benefits. It is clear that tri-party partnerships present a compelling solution to Sydney’s ongoing housing shortage and affordability issues.”

Evolve Housing Group CEO Lyall Gorman welcomed Billbergia’s commitment in developing mixed-tenure housing to address the housing crisis and confirmed Evolve Housing’s position to support and manage the new dwellings. 

“There has never been a greater need for more housing and Evolve Housing is committed to working together with Billbergia and Homes NSW towards providing high-quality community housing properties for those most in need,” Mr. Gorman said. 

“Our powerful partnership with Billbergia and Homes NSW is a clear example of meaningful partnerships between Government, Private Sector Developers and Community Housing Providers coming together to deliver mixed-tenure housing for struggling Australians. 

“Evolve Housing’s successful management of both the social and affordable housing towers at Lidcombe Rise, as well as the social housing building at The Parade in West Ryde is a testament to our dedication in helping those struggling to find a place to call home. 

“We look forward to the completion of Arncliffe Central and to continue to build on this influential partnership and collaboratively address the challenging housing needs across our state and country.”

Rick Graf concluded “deploying additional government land will allow these collaborations to accelerate mixed-tenure supply from a trickle to a torrent for the greater good of the NSW community.  Our three case studies demonstrate the potential – but access to further government land remains urgent.”