220 New Homes for Sydney Essential Workers Underway in Annandale

Building work has begun on The Joinery Annandale, a build-to-rent development in Sydney's Inner West that the NSW Government says will provide 220 apartments for essential workers.

What is being built

According to the NSW Government, the project is being delivered by Landcom, the state's land and property developer, on the former WestConnex construction site at Annandale. The government describes the homes as intended for health workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters and other essential workers, offered at a discounted market rent.

The announcement lists:

• studios and one, two and three-bedroom apartments
• shared spaces, including a rooftop terrace
• ground-floor retail and commercial spaces
• car parking, around 140 bicycle spaces and provision for electric vehicle charging
• a landscaped central plaza with native planting, shaded seating and public art

The NSW Government says it will keep ownership of the apartments, with day-to-day management handled by an operator. Richard Crookes Construction has been named as principal contractor.

Timing

The government states the building is expected to be completed in late 2028, weather permitting, with the first residents moving in from 2029. It says the project was approved in December 2025 through the State Significant Development pathway.

Why it matters locally

Many people who work in hospitals, schools and emergency services across the inner city face long commutes from more affordable areas. Homes set aside for essential workers close to where they work could make it easier for those workers to live in the community they serve. The project also returns a site that has been a construction zone for close to a decade to public use, with a new plaza for the neighbourhood.

Figures and project details in this summary are as reported by the NSW Government.