Towers up to 24-storeys high - housing up to 600 students - are now being proposed for The Block in Redfern, with no guarantees that affordable housing promised for indigenous families will eventuate.

In an October report, the Department of Planning warned it had not received concrete evidence that affordable housing would proceed as part of the $70 million development.

The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC), which owns the site, and developer Deicorp have increased the lucrative student housing portion of the development, known as the Pemulwuy Project.

An artist's impression of the student accommodation plan at The Block. Credit:Department of Planning

Last March they proposed a multi-tower development up to 16-storeys high for 500 university students, in addition to the affordable housing for 62 Aboriginal families, a gym, retail and a childcare centre. Now their latest plans are for the 24-storey high towers to accommodate up to 600 students.