Limit reduced from eight storeys
The height of towers in Neutral Bay will be capped at six storeys, after North Sydney councillors voted by six to three to reduce the maximum from a proposed eight storeys.
The amendment was made as part of discussion on the draft Neutral Bay Village Planning Study, which has now been put out for community comment following a review of 343 submissions received during the exhibition period earlier this year. It comes after two years of planning for the busy Neutral Bay area, which has been earmarked for several major developments, including the Coles shop-top housing proposal at Grovenor Lane, the Woolworths redevelopment on Rangers Road, and the 12-storey commercial/residential tower at 183 to 185 Military Road, owned by PPD Planning and Equitibuild.
There was much support for the draft plan, particularly for the public domain upgrades, pedestrian access improvements and the protection of retail and commercial floorspace in Neutral Bay.
However, issues were raised regarding density and height expectations, traffic impacts arising from any additional growth, the long-term employment function, and concerns relating to the public car park at Grosvenor Lane.
Council reiterated that it supports the inclusion of affordable housing in all new developments.
A councillor briefing is to be held on whether the proposed Woolworths redevelopment and Military Road 12-storey tower are consistent with the desired outcomes of the study.
The 12-storey tower, which will be a maximum of 44 metres, was approved for rezoning by the Strategic Planning Panel of the Sydney North Planning Panel in May – despite council’s objection. One of the reasons for the approval was that ‘delivering housing supply is a priority issue for Sydney for all levels of government’. This is in line with the State Government’s new housing density push.
Meredith Trevallyn-Jones of Willoughby Bay Precinct said there was a lot of community concern that the 12-storey tower, and the Woolworths redevelopment, would throw a shadow over residences across the street.
“There is of course considerable concern that Woolworths is proposing a public plaza immediately adjacent to (the 12-storey development) and to the south,” Ms Trevallyn-Jones said.
“If there is a 12-storey tower, it will throw a public open space into shadow,” she added. “That is a big issue.”
