The contract between Mirvac and the NSW Government was signed last week, marking a major milestone in the renewal of Sydney Harbour’s western foreshore.
Covering approximately 3 hectares, the Blackwattle Bay transformation is a significant mixed-use redevelopment that will deliver:
- around 1,400 new homes, including purpose-built student accommodation.
- approx 26,000m2 of public open space, including urban parks, walkways and cycleways.
- a new public foreshore promenade and a boardwalk, completing the missing link in the 15-kilometre Harbour Walk from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay and opening up the foreshore for public access.
- a mix of commercial and retail uses, creating a connected community adjacent to the new Sydney Fish Market.
The proposal is living-led. As part of this approach, Mirvac is partnering with Scape Australia by The Living Company to deliver student accommodation within the precinct, helping to meet growing demand for well-located PBSA close to education, employment and transport.
MinterEllison advised Mirvac across all legal aspects of the transaction, supporting Mirvac through the competitive procurement process and subsequently negotiating and finalising the transaction documentation, including in relation to the PBSA component of its partnership with Scape Australia.
Julie Purbrick, Partner at MinterEllison, said: “Blackwattle Bay is a landmark development of exceptional scale and significance for Sydney. We are proud to have advised Mirvac on a project that will bring together housing delivery, public domain, infrastructure and sustainability outcomes in such a meaningful way, and reflects the firm’s experience supporting major urban renewal projects of this calibre.”
Meredith Riley, Partner at MinterEllison, who led on the PBSA aspects, added: “The inclusion of purpose-built student accommodation is a significant element of the Blackwattle Bay redevelopment, reflecting the important role PBSA can play in supporting housing diversity in major urban renewal projects.”
The MinterEllison team included lawyers from the firm’s Real Estate, Projects & Infrastructure, Tax, Banking & Finance and Workplace practices. The team was led by Julie Purbrick (Partner, Real Estate) and Meredith Riley (Partner, Projects & Infrastructure), with support from a core group including William Vu and Jessica Nesbit (Projects & Infrastructure), and Taleen Karapetian and Natasha Cameron (Real Estate). Liz von Muenster and Rhys Guild advised on Tax aspects, Jim Fox and Albert Khouri on Workplace matters, while Daniel Marks led on Banking & Finance.
