Housing & planning · Cumberland Council
53-room co-living development approved for Kerrs Road, Lidcombe
The Cumberland Local Planning Panel approved DA2026/0221 for a six-storey project with basement parking, subject to conditions and supported variations to minimum lot-size and height standards.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
A six-storey co-living housing development with 53 rooms has been approved for 14 Kerrs Road, Lidcombe, subject to conditions. The proposal includes basement car parking and the demolition of existing structures.
The Cumberland Local Planning Panel supported requests to vary the minimum lot-size standard under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 and the building-height standard under the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan 2021. The panel’s reasons state that the applicant had demonstrated compliance with both standards was unreasonable and unnecessary in the circumstances, and that there were sufficient environmental planning grounds for the variations.
The panel said written submissions had been considered. It determined that concerns had either been addressed through the design or were not strong enough to warrant refusing the application. Subject to the recommended conditions, it also found the proposal would not have unreasonable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring properties or the locality.
Chairperson Michael File and panel members Kerry Kyriacou, Kevin Hoffman and Firas Shawash were recorded as voting for the Lidcombe application, with no votes against. People who lodged submissions are to be notified of the determination.
The minutes do not state a construction timetable, project value, builder or contractor. They record an approval subject to conditions, not that construction has begun or that a completion date has been set.
What deserves a closer look
Item ELPP030/26 records a panel decision approving the application subject to conditions, rather than a recommendation awaiting adoption.
The Lidcombe vote is recorded in P17–P18: four named members voted for and none against. The opening 'Against: Nil' in P10 belongs to the preceding Auburn item.
The approval is expressly subject to conditions, so the minutes do not establish that construction has begun or provide a completion date.
Questions for follow-up reporting
What conditions and approved plans apply to construction, parking and neighbouring amenity?
Has construction commenced, and is a construction or completion timetable available through Council's development-assessment records?
What happens next
The panel directed that people who lodged submissions be notified of the determination; the supplied minutes do not establish that notification has occurred.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
DA2026/0221 is for demolition of existing structures and construction of a six-storey, 53-room co-living development with basement car parking at 14 Kerrs Road, Lidcombe.
3. Development Application DA2026/0221 for Demolition of the existing structures and construction of a 6 storey co-living housing development comprising 53 rooms over basement car parking pursuant to State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 on land at 14 Kerrs Road, Lidcombe be approved subject to conditions listed in the attached schedule.
Item ELPP030/26, panel decision 3
Open original minutes ↗The panel supported variations to the minimum lot-size standard under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 and the building-height standard under the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan 2021.
Against: Nil. Cumberland Local Planning Panel Meeting 9 September 2026 Page 3 ITEM ELPP030/26 - DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION - 14 KERRS ROAD, LIDCOMBE PANEL DECISION: 1. The Clause 4.6 variation request to contravene the minimum lot size development standard, pursuant to section 69(1)(b)(ii) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021, be supported. 2. The Clause 4.6 variation request to contravene the height of building development standard, pursuant to clause 4.3 of the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan 2021, be supported.
Item ELPP030/26, panel decisions 1–2
Open original minutes ↗For both the lot-size and building-height variations, the panel was satisfied that the applicant had demonstrated compliance was unreasonable and unnecessary in the circumstances and that sufficient environmental planning grounds justified the contraventions.
2. The Panel is satisfied that the applicant's written request to contravene the non- discretionary development standard relating to lot size of Section 69(1)(b)(ii) of State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 has adequately addressed the matters required to be demonstrated by Clause 4.6 (3) and has demonstrated that: (a) compliance with the standard is unreasonable and unnecessary in the circumstances of the case, and (b) there are sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify the contravention. 3. The Panel is satisfied that the applicant's written request to contravene the height of building development standard pursuant to Clause 4.3 of the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan 2021 has adequately addressed the matters required to be demonstrated by Clause 4.6 (3) and has demonstrated that: (a) compliance with the standard is unreasonable and unnecessary in the circumstances of the case, and (b) there are sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify the contravention.
Item ELPP030/26, reasons for approval 2–3
Open original minutes ↗The panel said matters raised in written submissions had either been adequately addressed in the design or were not of sufficient weight to warrant refusal. Subject to the recommended conditions, it found the proposal would not have unreasonable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring properties or the locality.
Cumberland Local Planning Panel Meeting 9 September 2026 Page 4 4. The Panel has considered the matters raised in written submissions and has determined that these matters have either been adequately addressed in the design of the development or where not specifically addressed are not of such weight as to warrant refusal of the application. 5. Subject to the recommended conditions of consent, the proposal will not have any unreasonable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring properties or the locality. For: Michael File (Chairperson), Kerry Kyriacou, Kevin Hoffman and Firas Shawash.
Item ELPP030/26, reasons for approval 4–5
Open original minutes ↗The minutes record four votes for the decision—Michael File, Kerry Kyriacou, Kevin Hoffman and Firas Shawash—and no votes against.
5. Subject to the recommended conditions of consent, the proposal will not have any unreasonable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring properties or the locality. For: Michael File (Chairperson), Kerry Kyriacou, Kevin Hoffman and Firas Shawash. Against: Nil. The meeting terminated at 12.07pm. Signed: Chairperson
Item ELPP030/26, vote record
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the minutes of the Cumberland Local Planning Panel meeting held on 9 September 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- DA2026/0221 was approved for demolition of existing structures and construction of a six-storey co-living housing development with 53 rooms and basement car parking at 14 Kerrs Road, Lidcombe.
- The panel supported variations to the minimum lot-size standard under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 and the building-height standard under the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan 2021.
- The approval is subject to conditions listed in the attached schedule.
- The minutes record four votes for and none against, naming Michael File, Kerry Kyriacou, Kevin Hoffman and Firas Shawash.
- People who lodged submissions are to be notified of the determination.
Why it matters
- The approval allows a 53-room, six-storey co-living housing project at 14 Kerrs Road, while supporting departures from minimum lot-size and building-height standards. The conditions of consent will govern the project’s implementation and are relevant to nearby residents.