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It was once nicknamed ‘The Bronx’ and was best known for its tide of drug-fuelled crime, gangland murders and riots at its migrant detention centre, but today, the suburb of Villawood in Sydney's west is undergoing a massive transformation.
A $326 million state government investment in its town centre for new homes, retail and infrastructure, and the opening late last year of a 3200 square metre landscaped park.
“We’re now seeing people coming from places like Surry Hills and Dulwich Hill to buy apartments,” said Will Wehbe, sales director of St Trinity Property Group, which is handling sales for the new apartment block projects in Villawood. “It’s just incredible. Who would have thought residents from the inner west would ever be buying here?
“But while it doesn’t have the hip streets and coffee shops, people want to get their feet into property, and with Sydney prices rising so much, they have to look further out. They’re coming here and seeing how much it’s changed, and what good connectivity it has to the city, with trains, buses and roads. Those old stereotypes have gone.”
The NSW government has also announced a $112 million project for Villawood – eight kilometres from each of Parramatta, Liverpool and Bankstown – to makeover a long-vacant 15,200 square metre site. Close to local shops, the train station, buses and two local schools, it’ll be a new development of almost 400 new homes, including 55 social dwellings, a supermarket and community spaces. Construction is likely to start early next year.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the Kamira Court renewal was key to the government’s investment in Western Sydney and would deliver multiple benefits.
“Western Sydney is one of the state’s highest demand areas for housing, which is why the NSW Government is building more new homes to meet demand and supporting more families and businesses by creating local jobs,” Mrs Pavey said.
“This project demonstrates the smart approach we’re taking to growing our portfolio and building safe, stronger communities by redeveloping existing sites into well-designed homes close to shops, schools and essential services like the adjacent Villawood train station.”
At the same time, Fairfield City Council has been investing in infrastructure and open space within Villawood, including its $1.9 million Koonoona Park.
A council spokesperson said that in 2018 an urban design study was undertaken of the Villawood town centre to include increased building heights, public domain improvements, pedestrian connectivity, new roads and new open spaces, including the park.
“In December 2020, residential up-zoning of areas in Fairfield LGA, including Villawood, came into force,” he said. “This rezoning increased residential density around the Villawood Town Centre and north of the railway line, with new planning controls allowing residential apartments.”
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