University students could soon have access to more accommodation in Parramatta if plans for a 93-room co-living development get approved.
With the return of in-person university lectures and student accommodation in hot demand, future potential university students looking to live closer to campus may soon have more options in the Parramatta CBD.
Plans for a new 12-storey building at 183 Macquarie Street, Parramatta, have recently been submitted with City of Parramatta. If approved, the development would feature 93 rooms, indoor and outdoor communal spaces, as well as retail premises on the ground floor.
Designed to cater for tertiary student accommodation, the application notes that the site is located within 300 metres of the Western Sydney University (WSU) Parramatta Campus.
It also states that the Parramatta Light Rail will provide a direct connection to the WSU Rydalmere Campus.
With 77 single and 16 double occupancy rooms, each room would be provided with a full bathroom, kitchenette, sleeping and living area.
A communal lounge area and three study rooms would be included on the ground level, with an outdoor communal landscaped area at the rear of the site containing seating areas and landscaping.
The level one communal area would contain a kitchen, communal dining area, study areas, games room, residents’ gym and an external rear facing terrace. On the basement floor, residents will be able to access laundry facilities and use one of 52 bicycle parking spaces. The development will be managed by a company that provides management services 24 hours a day.
The site is on the southern side of Macquarie Street and within a 600 metre walking radius from the Parramatta Transport Hub. By building on this site, the development intends to take advantage of its proximity to public transport, services, schools and recreational opportunities.
The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) said the development will play a “positive role” in increasing affordable rental housing stock within the Parramatta CBD.
“[The development] will contribute towards ensuring Parramatta is a vibrant, energetic, healthy, sustainable and resilient community with an exciting mix of uses to serve the needs of the future anticipated community,” the document said.
“The proposal will also align with the principles of urban revitalisation, which seek to deliver a genuine 30-minute city where people live, work, educate, and recreate all within 30 minutes of Sydney’s Central River City.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.