The first residents of what is set to be one of Sydney’s most dynamic and best-connected communities have moved into their new homes in Midtown MacPark at Macquarie Park, an innovative cooperative project between Frasers Property Australia, state and federal governments and community housing provider Mission Australia Housing.
New residents were today welcomed with a morning tea at an event attended by state and federal housing ministers, marking the first stage of completion of new housing at Midtown MacPark. New residents met their neighbours at the community event to begin building the connections that will make Midtown MacPark such a desirable address.
The Federal Minister for Housing Julie Collins and NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson were joined by Frasers Property Australia CEO Cameron Leggatt and Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister at the event.
A designated State Significant Development, Midtown MacPark includes the 24-level Bates Smart-designed MAC Residences building, the 20-level Soul Residences, two 14-level apartment buildings comprising 259 community housing apartments and one 20-level apartment building with 130 affordable apartments. Other apartment buildings at Midtown MacPark include the architecturally iconic Treehouse building, on track for completion in 2026.
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MAC Residences features 269 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and two penthouses and welcomed its first residents this month, while the Candalepas Associates-designed Soul Residences comprises 107 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
In redeveloping the former social housing Ivanhoe Estate, the project will increase community housing dwellings on the site from 259 to a minimum of 950 among an eventual 3,300 residences at Midtown MacPark, to create a vibrant mix of private and public housing.
38 former Ivanhoe Estate residents have chosen to call Midtown MacPark their home with one of the new social housing apartments.
Frasers Property Australia CEO Cameron Leggatt shared that Australia’s housing crisis will only be solved when the public and private sectors work together to come up with solutions.
“Partnering with government to optimise its assets for better use and value serves the dual purpose of increasing both the number of available social housing residences and housing supply in general, in this case at one of Sydney’s best-connected neighbourhoods,” he said.
“The mixed tenure model we’ve developed at Midtown MacPark will not only more than triple the number of community and affordable housing dwellings on the site, but also improve the quality and increase the amenities available to residents. With its diverse mix of housing options and residents, Midtown MacPark will be one of Sydney’s most vibrant new neighbourhoods.”
Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said it was exciting to see new and returning residents moving into Midtown MacPark and the community taking shape.
“For Mission Australia, our focus from day one has been on building a welcoming community where all Midtown residents can thrive.”
Callister highlighted that together with Homes NSW and Frasers Property Australia, they aren’t just delivering new housing; they’re creating a cohesive and inclusive community where everyone is welcome, feels connected and shares a sense of belonging.
“Residents will be able to engage with wrap-around support offered on-site by teams from both Mission Australia and Frasers Property, get involved in tenant-led activities, enjoy the outdoor spaces and local amenities, and have easy access to education, transport, jobs and services.”
Launched in 2020, Midtown MacPark has unbeatable public transport connections thanks to its proximity to the new Metro railway station and is within walking distance to the Macquarie Centre shopping precinct, Macquarie University and Macquarie Hospital — key features of NSW’s third largest business district.
Within Midtown MacPark will be two childcare centres, a state primary school for 750 children, an expansive Village Green central park plus walking trails, bike paths, pocket parks and revitalised ecological corridor along Shrimptons Creek, a community centre, social enterprise café, communal bush tucker garden and a pay-as-you-go pool and gym.
The community’s sustainable features include all-electric buildings, carbon-neutral energy provided by Real Utilities through an embedded network with rooftop solar, efficient centralised hot water, provision for an on-site car share scheme and more. It has achieved a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Community housing apartments at Midtown MacPark are owned by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation and managed by Mission Australia Housing, which will have full-time staff members based on-site to link residents with services and support.
Midtown MacPark was the first project to be fast-tracked through the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program, created to keep the economy moving through COVID. It was approved in May 2020 with construction starting in December within the same year.
Frasers Property Australia, this year celebrating its 100th birthday, has a strong track record in working with government and community housing providers to help address the housing crisis and delivery of social housing.
In Victoria, Frasers Property has delivered social housing projects at Carlton, Parkville and Westmeadows.
In Queensland, construction is well-advanced on the 366-apartment Brunswick & Co. build-to-rent project in inner-city Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, a collaboration with the QLD State Government to provide 144 affordable housing apartments with subsidised rents for residents.
In Western Australia, Frasers Property worked with the Department of Communities on the successful East Green project, which delivered a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.
Frasers Property Australia last year announced a partnership with Ending Loneliness Together (ELT) to help combat loneliness and social isolation and was recognised by ELT for its groundbreaking community connection initiatives, including the Midtown MacPark program.
Cameron Leggatt said that a range of community-building activities are already underway at Midtown MacPark, from café catch-up sessions to pet play dates and workshops.
“We welcome all the new residents of Midtown MacPark to build a stronger and more inclusive community together, and we look forward to helping them form new connections and friendships as they settle into their new neighbourhood,” he said.
For more on housing and homelessness, check out Third Sector’s 6th Annual National Housing and Homelessness Forum.