Bid to Squeeze More from SSD-Approved Sydney Tower

A 62-storey residential development proposed for Lot 4B on Herbert Street, St Leonards has been declared a State Significant Development—but the council wants greater public benefit from the government-owned site. The Housing Delivery Authority recommended the project for state significance status during its April meeting, citing the proposal’s alignment with strategic housing objectives. The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), in partnership with Property and Development NSW (PDNSW), have undertaken the master planning process for the redevelopment of Lot 4B. The project seeks to deliver high-density development to provide housing for key workers in the area, supporting the health and education precinct and delivering transit-oriented development. The proposed development would include about 448 apartments with 15 per cent allocated for affordable housing, alongside office and commercial floor space providing health services and retail offerings. The Herbert Street site, measuring 3300sq m, is 75m from St Leonards railway station and 600m from the future Crows Nest Metro Station. “The proposal sufficiently satisfies the objectives and criteria of the HDA expression of interest,” the authority said, noting the site has “limited capacity for high-yield industrial uses” due to its location near the St Leonards/Artarmon industrial precinct. However, Willoughby City Council is demanding more. At its April 28 meeting, the council passed a resolution calling for greater public benefit from the government-owned site, expressing concern that current plans fall short of community expectations. The rezoning of Lot 4B has significantly increased development potential to allow for up to 448 apartments, but the council contends the 15 per cent affordable housing commitment is inadequate given the substantial uplift granted. ▲ PDNSW owns the parcel of land known as Lot 4B, which fronts Herbert Street and is currently being subdivided with potential to deliver up to 448 new homes. Mayor Tanya Taylor said the council “recognises the strategic importance of Lot 4B and the opportunity it presents to deliver real, lasting public benefit”. “We are committed to ensuring this land is not just seen through a commercial lens, but as a community asset that must provide value in the form of open space, affordable housing, public infrastructure, and thoughtful urban design,” Taylor said. The council emphasised the need to retain clinical health services onsite to meet growing healthcare demand, noting the 15 per cent allocation falls well short of the election commitment to deliver 30 per cent social and affordable housing on surplus government land near mass transit. The concerns are due to be formally tabled at the next Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils meeting. Mayors from North Sydney, Lane Cove, Mosman, and Ku-ring-gai councils have already endorsed Willoughby’s position. The Lot 4B project joins 13 other developments declared State Significant in April, collectively adding potential for 4200 homes across NSW . Nine projects are in metropolitan Sydney, including Holdmark’s three-tower Burwood complex and the Shrimptons Creek Precinct Landowners Group’s 1175-apartment Macquarie Park project. This brings the total SSD proposals to 78 by the end of April, which could deliver 32,100 homes if approved—a significant contribution towards NSW’s National Housing Accord target of 377,000 homes amid ongoing challenges with council assessment timeframes.

Bid to Squeeze More from SSD-Approved Sydney Tower

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