From a derelict property in Drummoyne to free-standing homes near Toongabbie train station left to rot, and apartment blocks completed but never occupied, many buildings across Sydney have remained vacant, abandoned, or stalled for years. This comes at a time when the city is under immense pressure to deliver more housing.
Homes Sitting Empty as Housing Crisis Worsens
7NEWS has uncovered sites across Drummoyne, Lidcombe, Greystanes, Toongabbie, Pendle Hill, and Parramatta that remain untouched despite growing demand for homes. Some have become eyesores for neighbours, while others are caught in legal disputes, defect orders, planning delays, or financial collapse.
At 11 John Street in Lidcombe, a prohibition order was issued in 2021 over defects, and the building remains unfinished. Elsewhere, 507 Great Western Highway in Greystanes has turned into a site with graffiti and broken glass, understood to be a disputed estate. Apartment projects at 14 Civic Avenue in Pendle Hill and 5-7 Parkes Street in Parramatta remain empty years after construction, with modification works either underway or before the council.
Properties at 435, 441, and 443 Wentworth Avenue near Toongabbie Station have become what locals describe as a haven for squatters, despite development approval for units being granted in 2023.
Frustration Among Residents
For some neighbours, frustration has been building for years. “It’s not great for the area,” one Drummoyne resident said. “I would be much happier if it was developed and someone was living in it.” The property at 113 St George Cres in Drummoyne, right by the water, was purchased by a mystery buyer in 2022 but has been sitting in shocking condition for close to two decades.
Sue Weatherley, Chief Executive of the Planning Institute of NSW, says abandoned developments have become a concern. “It’s not acceptable to leave buildings in this state,” she said. However, she notes that current approvals do not require developers to proceed. “When an approval is issued, you’re not required to act on that approval.”
Widespread Issue
Keith Salter, who tracks failed developments through an online register, says the issue is widespread. “There really are empty properties everywhere,” he said. “It’s an utter shame that they’re not being used for living.” Experts say there is no easy fix. Among solutions being discussed are a vacant buildings tax, financial support or incentives to help stalled projects move forward, or incentives for other developers to step in and complete unfinished sites.
“The government has a pre-finance system to support people to get on with their developments, and perhaps there’s an example of something like an insurance scheme to enable developers to purchase these sites and get these developments finished,” Weatherley told 7NEWS.
Planning Minister Paul Scully says adaptive reuse could potentially play a role. “We see some great adaptive reuse of buildings around Sydney,” he said. “And if there’s opportunities to do more of that, we’re happy to explore them…I always want to see things set at a cracking pace.”
