Midtown MacPark welcomes first residents to new, vibrant Macquarie Park community

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• Midtown MacPark is an innovative partnership between Frasers Property Australia, state and federal governments and Mission Australia Housing
• Landmark model for tackling housing crisis passes major milestone, as public and private sectors join forces to increase housing supply with quality and affordability
• Buildings launch attended by state and federal housing ministers
• 950 new community homes and 130 new affordable homes among 3,300 apartments planned, more than tripling share of community and affordable housing dwellings previously on the site

The first residents of what is set to be one of Sydney’s most dynamic and best-connected communities have moved into their new homes in Midtown MacPark at Macquarie Park, an innovative cooperative project between Frasers Property Australia, state and federal governments and community housing provider Mission Australia Housing. 

New residents were today welcomed with a morning tea at an event attended by state and federal housing ministers, marking the first stage completion of new housing at Midtown MacPark. New residents met their neighbours at the community event to begin building the connections that will make Midtown MacPark such a desirable address. 

The Federal Minister for Housing Julie Collins and NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson were joined by Frasers Property Australia CEO Cameron Leggatt and Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister at the event. 

A designated State Significant Development, Midtown MacPark includes the 24-level Bates Smart-designed MAC Residences building, the 20-level Soul Residences, two 14-level apartment buildings comprising 259 community housing apartments and one 20-level apartment building with 130 affordable apartments. Other apartment buildings at Midtown MacPark include the architecturally iconic Treehouse building, on track for completion in 2026. 

MAC Residences features 269 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and two penthouses and welcomed its first residents this month, while the Candalepas Associates-designed Soul Residences comprises 107 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. 

In redeveloping the former social housing Ivanhoe Estate, the project will increase community housing dwellings on the site from 259 to a minimum of 950 among an eventual 3,300 residences at Midtown MacPark, to create a vibrant mix of private and public housing. 

38 former Ivanhoe Estate residents have chosen to call Midtown MacPark their home with one of the new social housing apartments. 

Frasers Property Australia CEO Cameron Leggatt shared that Australia’s housing crisis will only be solved when the public and private sectors work together to come up with solutions. 

“Partnering with government to optimise its assets for better use and value serves the dual purpose of increasing both the number of available social housing residences and housing supply in general, in this case at one of Sydney’s best-connected neighbourhoods,” he said. 

“The mixed tenure model we've developed at Midtown MacPark will not only more than triple the number of community and affordable housing dwellings on the site, but also improve the quality and increase the amenity available to residents. With its diverse mix of housing options and residents, Midtown MacPark will be one of Sydney’s most vibrant new neighbourhoods.” 

Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said it was exciting to see new and returning residents moving into Midtown MacPark and the community taking shape. 

“For Mission Australia, our focus from day one has been on building a welcoming community where all Midtown residents can thrive. Together with Homes NSW and Frasers Property Australia, we aren’t just delivering new housing; we’re creating a cohesive and inclusive community where everyone is welcome, feels connected and shares a sense of belonging,” she says. 

“Residents will be able to engage with wrap-around support offered on site by teams from both Mission Australia and Frasers Property, get involved in tenant-led activities, enjoy the outdoor spaces and local amenities, and have easy access to education, transport, jobs and services.” 

Launched in 2020, Midtown MacPark has unbeatable public transport connections thanks to its proximity to the new Metro railway station and is within walking distance to the Macquarie Centre shopping precinct, Macquarie University and Macquarie Hospital — key features of NSW’s third largest business district. 

Within Midtown MacPark will be two childcare centres, a state primary school for 750 children, an expansive Village Green central park plus walking trails, bike paths, pocket parks and revitalised ecological corridor along Shrimptons Creek, a community centre, social enterprise café, communal bush tucker garden and a pay-as-you-go pool and gym. 

The community’s sustainable features include all-electric buildings, carbon neutral energy provided by Real Utilities through an embedded network with rooftop solar, efficient centralised hot water, provision for an on site car share scheme and more. It has achieved a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). 

Community housing apartments at Midtown MacPark are owned by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation and managed by Mission Australia Housing, which will have full time staff members based on site to link residents with services and support. 

Midtown MacPark was the first project to be fast-tracked through the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program, created to keep the economy moving through COVID. It was approved in May 2020 with construction starting in December within the same year. 

Frasers Property Australia, this year celebrating its 100th birthday, has a strong track record in working with government and community housing providers to help address the housing crisis and delivery of social housing. 

In Victoria, Frasers Property has delivered social housing projects at Carlton, Parkville and Westmeadows. 

In Queensland, construction is well-advanced on the 366-apartment Brunswick & Co. build-to-rent project in inner-city Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, a collaboration with the QLD State Government to provide 144 affordable housing apartments with subsidised rents for residents. 

In Western Australia, Frasers Property worked with the Department of Communities on the successful East Green project, which delivered a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. 

Frasers Property Australia last year announced a partnership with Ending Loneliness Together (ELT) to help combat loneliness and social isolation and was recognised by ELT for its groundbreaking community connection initiatives, including the Midtown MacPark program. 

Cameron Leggatt said that a range of community building activities are already underway at Midtown MacPark, from café catch-up sessions to pet play dates and workshops. 

"We welcome all the new residents of Midtown MacPark to build a stronger and more inclusive community together, and we look forward to helping them form new connections and friendships as they settle into their new neighbourhood,” he said. 

About Frasers Property Australia 

Since 1924, Frasers Property Australia has created stronger, smarter, happier neighbourhoods. We are one of Australia's leading diversified property groups and an Australian division of Frasers Property Limited. 

We develop residential land, housing, and apartments and have delivered over 145,000 homes during our legacy; and develop build-to-rent, commercial, retail and mixed-use properties. Our activities also encompass the ownership and management of investment property, incorporating property and asset management services.  

We work sustainably to ensure the places we create leave a positive environmental legacy and enhance the way people live life together. Frasers Property in Australia has certified over 8.6 million square metres of Green Star space across our communities, and our commitment to reduce carbon has been approved by the global Science-Based Targets initiative. Frasers Property Australia owns Real Utilities, a licensed Australian carbon neutral energy retailer that owns and manages energy infrastructure within some of our communities with the mission to be cheaper, greener and simpler. 

We value diversity and firmly believe that together, we’re better. We employ over 500 people nationally and are recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency. 

To find out more about Frasers Property Australia, visit frasersproperty.com.au or follow us on LinkedIn. 

About Frasers Property Limited 

Frasers Property Limited (“Frasers Property” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Frasers Property Group” or the “Group”), is a multinational investor-developer-manager of real estate products and services across the property value chain. Listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”) and headquartered in Singapore, the Group has total assets of approximately S$39.8 billion as at 30 September 2023. 

Frasers Property's multinational businesses operate across five asset classes, namely, commercial & business parks, hospitality, industrial & logistics, residential and retail. The Group has businesses in Southeast Asia, Australia, the EU, the UK and China, and its well-established hospitality business owns and/or operates serviced apartments and hotels in over 20 countries and more than 70 cities across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 

Frasers Property is also the sponsor of two real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and one stapled trust listed on the SGX-ST. Frasers Centrepoint Trust and Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust are focused on retail, and industrial & commercial properties, respectively. Frasers Hospitality Trust (comprising Frasers Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust and Frasers Hospitality Business Trust) is a stapled trust focused on hospitality properties. In addition, the Group has two REITs listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited is the sponsor of Frasers Property Thailand Industrial Freehold & Leasehold REIT, which is focused on industrial & logistics properties in Thailand, and Golden Ventures Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust, which is focused on commercial properties. 

The Group is committed to inspiring experiences and creating places for good for its stakeholders. By acting progressively, producing and consuming responsibly, and focusing on its people, Frasers Property aspires to raise sustainability ideals across its value chain, and build a more resilient business. It is committed to be a net-zero carbon corporation by 2050. Building on its heritage as well as leveraging its knowledge and capabilities, the Group aims to create lasting shared value for its people, the businesses and communities it serves. Frasers Property believes in the diversity of its people and are invested in promoting a progressive, collaborative and respectful culture. 

For more information on Frasers Property, please visit frasersproperty.com or follow us on LinkedIn.  

About Mission Australia  

As one of the largest national not-for-profit providers of both community services and housing, Mission Australia’s ambition is to achieve the best possible outcomes for people living in the homes they deliver and in the communities they live in. Mission Australia is a national Christian charity motivated by a shared vision of an Australia where everyone has a safe home and can thrive.  

Since 1859, for more than 160 years, Mission Australia has stood alongside people in need across Australia, offering real hope that has lasting impact. The charity collaborates with people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage to tackle the root causes of their challenges through providing access to safe, affordable homes and evidence-based support services. Mission Australia delivers homelessness crisis and prevention services, provides social and affordable housing, assists struggling families and children, addresses mental health concerns, fights substance misuse, supports people with disability and much more. In 2022-23, Mission Australia supported almost 150,000 people through 463 services and programs around Australia (including 73 homelessness services), thanks to the work of 2,464 staff and more than 1,000 volunteers. 

For more information on Mission Australia, please visit www.missionaustralia.com.au or follow our social media platforms.   

About Mission Australia Housing 

Mission Australia established Mission Australia Housing in 2008. Together, the two partner organisations work towards a goal to end homelessness and ensuring people and communities in need can thrive. Mission Australia Housing is recognised as a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider, which currently owns or manages more than 4,000 social and affordable homes across the country. Part of the Mission Australia Group, Mission Australia Housing is an innovative, collaborative and values-driven Community Housing Provider that provides social and affordable rental housing to low and moderate income households. As a leading national Community Housing Provider, Mission Australia Housing’s aim is to deliver better homes in vibrant communities and services that are tailored to individual need so residents are supported in moving towards independence. In 2024, Mission Australia Housing is celebrating 15 years of providing quality, supported social and affordable housing.