Willoughby City Council launches Chatswood 2060
Willoughby City Council held a special launch event on 21 October at The Concourse for Chatswood 2060, a long-term initiative to guide the city’s growth and development over the next 35 years.
The event commenced the process for residents, landowners and other stakeholders to outline their ambitions for Chatswood and a draft master plan is expected to be released in early 2027 for community consultation.
Chatswood 2060 will guide housing growth, business investment, infrastructure and high-quality public spaces as the city grows. The launch aimed to begin a city-wide conversation about Chatswood’s future.
Council outlined its approach to managing growth, prioritising infrastructure and preparing a draft master plan.
Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor said: “The question is not whether Chatswood will change over the next 35 years, but how we plan for the change today.”
At its heart, Chatswood 2060 will set out how Chatswood can accommodate future growth in homes, jobs and investment while cementing its position as the cultural heart of the North Shore, and ensuring that it remains highly liveable, inclusive, sustainable and economically strong.
“Chatswood has long been recognised as a major employment, retail and transport hub. As Sydney continues to grow, Chatswood will play an increasingly important role in the delivery of new homes, close to jobs, services, open space and transport. But how that growth occurs matters just as much as the number of homes we deliver,” Mayor Taylor said.
“We call on the Commonwealth and NSW Government to partner with us to ensure vital community infrastructure is planned, coordinated and delivered alongside growth, rather than playing catch-up afterwards.
Council said that density in Willoughby was best placed in Chatswood and St Leonards, with their active transport connections.
“Our vision is for Chatswood to be a world-class example of Transport Oriented Development done well – density that is liveable and breathable, with room for trees, open space, sunlight, community life and the infrastructure a growing population needs,” Mayor Taylor said.
“The NSW Government’s new Sydney Plan highlights the importance of delivering more housing in locations that are well connected by public transport and supported by jobs and infrastructure. Willoughby City Council is uniquely placed to contribute to those objectives,” she said.
“However, growth must be matched by investment in the things that matter most to our community, including open space, tree canopy and green spaces, public domain improvements, community facilities, schools and public transport connections that support healthy and liveable communities,” Mayor Taylor said.
Mayor Taylor emphasised that Chatswood 2060 is not simply about housing growth, but about creating a city for future generations and cementing Chatswood’s position as the cultural heart of the North Shore.
“Our vision is for Chatswood to remain the cultural heart of the North Shore: a place where people can live close to jobs and services, where families have access to quality parks, arts and community facilities, where businesses can thrive, and where people of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome and included.”
Council is working closely with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that future housing and employment growth is planned alongside the infrastructure needed to support it. Council will also be asking residents, the business community and community groups to help shape council’s vision for Chatswood.
“Together, we can create a long-term plan that reflects our community’s values and delivers a highly liveable, inclusive, culturally vibrant and prosperous Chatswood for generations to come,” Mayor Taylor said.