Sydney developer PAYCE has officially begun construction on the Melrose Park Gateway Project, one of the largest affordable housing developments undertaken in New South Wales.
The project, delivered in partnership with construction firm DASCO, will bring 197 affordable housing apartments and 154 co-living units to the fast-growing Melrose Park precinct, accommodating an estimated 700 residents once complete.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held at 19 Hope Street, Melrose Park, attended by NSW Minister for Planning Paul Scully, Member for Parramatta Donna Davis, Housing Australia Director of Investments Rohan Gibbs, Evolve Housing Group CEO Lyall Gorman, and PAYCE Chairman Brian Boyd.
All 197 affordable apartments will be owned and managed by Evolve Housing under the Australian Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund.
The apartments are intended to provide long-term affordable rental housing for essential workers and other eligible tenants, contributing to the state’s housing targets under the National Housing Accord.
The remaining 154 units in the development will be privately owned co-living apartments.
PAYCE Chairman Brian Boyd said the project reflected what could be achieved when government, community housing providers and the private sector worked together toward increasing housing supply.
He noted that the development’s location, with strong transport, education and community infrastructure nearby, would give residents access to the services and opportunities needed to thrive, and said the company was proud to be delivering a project that would make a meaningful difference to hundreds of residents and families at a time of critical demand for affordable rental housing across Sydney.
Evolve Housing Group CEO Lyall Gorman said the 197 homes at Melrose Park form part of a larger commitment of 1,094 affordable homes the organisation will deliver through the Housing Australia Future Fund. He said the homes would give residents greater stability and the opportunity to live close to employment, education and essential services, and credited the strength of the partnership between Evolve Housing, PAYCE, Housing Australia and government stakeholders.
Housing Australia CEO Scott Langford said the project illustrated the impact of the Housing Australia Future Fund in supporting housing supply across the state, and that the fund was helping deliver well-located affordable homes in communities where people want to live, work and build their lives.
He said Housing Australia was pleased to support Evolve Housing and PAYCE on a project expected to deliver lasting benefits for the Melrose Park and Parramatta community.
The development sits adjacent to the future Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, currently under construction, which will link residents to Sydney Olympic Park, the Sydney Metro West network, Parramatta CBD and the Sydney CBD.
It is also located within 100 metres of the new 800 million dollar Melrose Park Town Centre, set to open later this year with 30,000 square metres of retail and commercial space, and within 400 metres of two new schools, Melrose Park High School and the expanded Melrose Park Public School, which together will cater for around 1,700 students when both open at the start of next year.
Construction on the Melrose Park Gateway Project is underway, with completion anticipated in late 2028.
