The 9-hectare development site is at the gateway to the Macquarie Park employment corridor and will feature around 2,700 apartments, parks, playgrounds, shops and cafes.

“The start of work at Lachlan’s Line represents a $30 million investment by the NSW Government through UrbanGrowth NSW, providing much-needed housing and jobs in the region,” Mr Stokes said.

“This will transform a former industrial site into a high-quality, publicly accessible, connected local destination.”

Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts welcomed the new development, and the public facilities that would come with it.

“I am delighted we will have new homes close to jobs, parks, shops and public transport,” Mr Roberts said.

Lachlan’s Line is located 15km from the Sydney CBD and will promote active transport and lifestyles through multiple walking and cycling networks, and access to the nearby Lane Cove National Park.

Key elements of the development will include a “green spine” of parks and open space running from one end of the development to the other, and a new pedestrian and cycleway bridge to connect the site with North Ryde Station.

The first works on site involve site clearing and bulk earthworks, to allow for the roads, services and landscaping works to begin.

The $30 million in works will be completed by late 2016 with further works including the pedestrian bridge by 2018. Development of apartments is expected to start in 18 months, with the first residents moving in by 2019.