4.23 Sydenham
Part 4 – Place Specific Controls
Sydenham is located on the lands of the Gadigal. Gadigal lands extend south of Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson) stretching from South Head to Petersham with part of the southern boundary lying on the Cooks River.
Country in Sydenham consists of alluvial valleys running west towards the expansive Gumbramorra Swamp with the presence of laminite and dark grey siltstone. The area sits at the foot of declining sandstone and shoal ridges, leading down to the flat, soft soils of the marshland. Country here is saltwater and freshwater with the Alexandra Canal, a tributary of the Cooks River, running south-west through the site.
The topography in Sydenham is gently undulating rises on Wianamatta Shale with local relief 10–30 metres and slopes generally <5% to 10%. Crests and ridges are broad (200–600 metres) and rounded with convex upper slopes grading into concave lower slopes. Rock outcrops are absent. The original ecological communities present in Sydenham are Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest and Sydney Coastal Sandstone Foreshores Forest.
This Country has been used for travelling through the landscape, collecting resources, maintaining pathways and vegetation for thousands of generations of Aboriginal Peoples. Sydenham as a suburb is part of the larger picture of Gadigal Country, which remains important to First Nations Peoples and is connected to the health and wellbeing of the whole landscape. In the 2021 Census, the Australian Bureau of Statistics published that 2.3% of the population of Sydenham identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Sydenham is an evolving suburb with a strong industrial heritage, characterised by a mix of low-density residential areas, industrial uses, and transport infrastructure. Its proximity to Sydenham Station and the Marrickville Metro contributes to its connectivity and accessibility, however its potential for urban renewal is limited by the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) levels that apply due to its proximity to Sydney Airport. The suburb retains a diverse character with heritage-listed buildings, active industrial spaces, and a growing creative sector.
Sydenham's desired future character seeks to balance its robust industrial identity with its role as a growing creative and residential hub. It seeks to support the ongoing industrial activity in the neighbourhood while also allowing for residential growth and community needs. The vision for the area seeks for an improved public domain and increased walkability of the area, while also encouraging development that energy efficient and responsive to constraints such as flooding and airspace protection requirements.
Objectives
To support the ongoing industrial uses of the area alongside housing and community needs.
To encourage development that sustainable in terms of energy efficiency.
To encourage improvements to the public domain and walkability of the neighbourhood.
To encourage development that is responsive to site constraints (e.g. flooding, airspace protection).
Controls
Design development, land uses, and urban form to achieve the neighbourhood's desired future character, as outlined in the locality statement and supporting principles.
Balance industrial activity, residential growth, and community need while preserving Sydenham's unique industrial identity. Development is to:
- a)Provide a mix of land uses that supports ongoing industrial uses alongside housing and community facilities
- b)Deliver public domain improvements, including landscaping, seating, and pedestrian connections
- c)Improve walkability through active street frontages and safe pedestrian routes
- d)Apply sustainable design principles, including energy efficiency and water-sensitive urban design
- e)Comply with airspace protection requirements