A proposed 39-storey tower in Burwood, Sydney has drawn significant criticism from both the local council and the neighbouring Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Saint Nectarios, who argue the development poses unresolved safety, planning, and heritage issues.
The glittering 144-metre residential and hotel complex, to be built at the corner of 2–4 Burleigh Street and 20–24 Railway Parade, is being fast-tracked as a state-significant development under new planning laws that allow for height and density incentives in exchange for affordable housing.
The $75 million project includes a hotel, commercial offices and 48 two-bedroom units, 18 of which will be affordable housing.
Saint Nectarios Parish calls for rethink
The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Saint Nectarios – located directly opposite the proposed site – lodged a formal submission during the public exhibition period, raising four major concerns: building separation, overshadowing, traffic conflicts and pedestrian safety.
“While we acknowledge the importance of facilitating well-planned housing and community outcomes,” the submission states, “this proposal presents a series of significant and unresolved planning, design, and safety issues that directly impact our property, our parishioners, and the surrounding community.”
The Parish stressed that its community facilities at 5 Burleigh Street and its heritage-listed church at 26 Railway Parade are in constant use and serve vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children. These are “directly opposite the proposed development,” and the current plans, they argue, threaten the safety and amenity of those who visit.
Planning and design failures
Chief among the Parish’s objections is the building’s western boundary setback. The current design includes a 6-metre setback, but under the Apartment Design Guide (ADG), a 12-metre separation is required for buildings over 25 metres high. The Parish argues that the shortfall would limit future development of their own property and compromise visual privacy standards.
“The proposed 6-metre setback from the western boundary is insufficient, and without adjustment, it would undermine the ability of our adjoining property to develop in a compliant and equitable manner,” the submission states.
Similar issues were flagged on the eastern side, where the tower borders a low-scale residential property. The Parish argues that the development may overshadow this home and lacks justification for its reduced setbacks.
Traffic and safety risks
The Parish is also concerned by traffic arrangements – particularly the placement of the porte-cochère vehicle exit, which connects directly to Burleigh Street at its junction with Railway Parade.
“This creates a high-risk traffic conflict zone,” the submission reads, “introducing serious operational and safety risks, both for motorists and pedestrians.”
With church services, feast days and community events attracting large numbers of people on foot, the Parish says there is “a clear safety risk to pedestrians, including members of our church community.”
The church is advocating for a formal pedestrian crossing at the junction, paid for by the developer, to protect worshippers and the public.
Burwood Council and Community also object
The Parish’s submission aligns with the position of Burwood Council, which has also objected to the development. The council said the tower “treats the site in isolation,” lacks design excellence and fails to integrate with the surrounding streetscape.
“The development appears to have been designed in isolation, lacking a cohesive relationship with the character, scale and function of adjacent sites,” council said in its submission.
Local residents echoed those concerns, with some in nearby apartment towers worried about blocked views, reduced sunlight, property devaluation, and increased congestion. One submission described the plan as “overdevelopment, poor urban planning, and a blatant disregard for the established and growing community of Burwood.”
Others, however, welcomed the potential for more affordable housing. “Burwood is thriving because of new development,” said one supporter from Summer Hill, who noted that in-fill affordable housing is “essential to alleviate the housing crisis”.
Next steps
The NSW Department of Planning has asked the developer to respond to public submissions. A final decision will be made by Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully or his delegate.
Saint Nectarios Parish, while not opposing growth outright, has made its position clear: the current proposal must change.
“These issues are not minor or peripheral – they strike at the core of good planning practice and public domain safety,” their submission concludes. “We therefore urge the consent authority to refuse the application in its current form, and require that the proponent undertake substantial design modifications.”
