CASH-strapped students would struggle to meet “affordable rents” charged by the University of Sydney in the latest proposal to build hundreds of new student lodgings at the Camperdown-Darlington campus.

The university is pushing ahead with plans to build a 656-room, eight-storey development on a narrow block of land between City and Darlington Rds in a bid to meet growing demand for on-campus accommodation.

But documents lodged with the Department of Planning reveals students could be in for a tight squeeze, with 95 per cent of rooms less than 10.3sq m — a shortfall on the minimum 12sq m standards set by State Government and City of Sydney rules.

media_camera The planned University of Sydney development would have 656 rooms

The university argues the deviation from planning rules would be justified by offering affordable rents of $300 a week, 25 per cent lower than market rates.

In the documents, the university attacked the 12sq m limits as affecting its “ability to compete” on the international stage, referencing a list of major cities where limits are as low as 7sq m.

Newtown state Greens MP Jenny Leong warned the deviation “could set a precedent for unscrupulous, private developers trying to cash in on the demand for student housing”.

media_camera Concept designs of rooms at the University of Sydney development.

Student Representative Council president Isabella Brook said the $300-a-week rent would be out of reach for a majority of students.

“Most students supporting themselves through ­university are in low-paying industries such as retail and international students would have the added pressure of only being allowed to work a set number of hours per week,” she said.

“I’m not sure if $300 a week is what I’d consider affordable, especially for such a small space.”

The proposal is the second stage of the university’s plans to build 4000 beds at Darlington, Newtown and Camperdown.

media_camera Concept plans for the University of Sydney development

Newtown residents Bella and Keshab Baidya said the developments were the latest in a long line creeping ever closer to their home, with noise “at all hours of the night” their chief concern.

If approved, the university’s annual net income from lodgings would rise to $1 million.

The university said its “portfolio was run on a non-profit basis with net income directed towards accommodation scholarships”.

media_camera "The Gateway to Newtown", as shown in plans for the University of Sydney development

Plans show the Regiment building and Darlington Centre would be demolished to make way for the development.

Public feedback on the plans closes on April 7.

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