NESTLED behind Newtown is Sydney’s newest suburb — a hub of residential buildings, parks, and retail facilities just waiting to be built.

North Eveleigh — which spreads across both sides of Sydney’s main rail corridor — is currently in the second stage of planning and officials hope infrastructure work could start as early as 2017.

Already, the precinct is home to 88 affordable housing units, which were opened by City West Housing late last year.

media_camera An artist’s impression of how new development can blend with heritage-protected structures at North Eveleigh. Picture: UrbanGrowth NSW

The pocket is also home to Carriageworks — Australia’s largest and most significant contemporary multi-arts centre of its kind renowned for hosting Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week as well as artists like Grace Jones and the Pet Shop Boys.

The North Eveleigh land to be developed is bordered by Wilson St, Carriageworks, the railway corridor and Iverys Lane, and is mostly owned but no longer used by RailCorp.

The suburb has been designed as the first stage of the $550 million dollar Central to Eveleigh Urban Transformation and Transport Program aimed at transforming government-owned land along the rail corridor in the inner city over the next 30 years.

media_camera A map showing the study area within the blue border, the precinct boundary in light orange and the transformation area in dark orange. Picture: UrbanGrowth

When completed, Central to Eveleigh will include seven distinct new neighbourhoods that will accommodate residential, commercial, retail, cultural and community uses as well as public open space including five new parks.

After presentations to the community in May, Urban-Growth NSW has revised its plan to accommodate for varied building heights of “up to 20 storeys”.

It will also retain heritage buildings, expand the size of planned parks and provide for future walk and bike crossings.

Project director Troy Daly said the community had shown strong support for a community vision for Central to Eveleigh.

media_camera An artist’s impression of how the suburb may look. Picture: UrbanGrowth NSW

“This will be a place that builds community by celebrating our diversity and heritage and gives everyone easy access to community and cultural facilities,” Mr Daly said.

A workshop outlining the plans will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 6pm at the Australian Technology Park.

You can also have your say on key aspects of the development online.

For more details, visit the project’s official website: centraltoeveleigh.com.au