Since the release of Council’s new draft LEP there has been a spate of major developments. This includes:

465 Victoria Avenue (opposite RSL) – this site is up for sale as part of a four property (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne) office tower portfolio block trade (single owner).  A refurbishment of this property happened between 2010 and 2012.   As the properties are being sold as an office portfolio block, it is likely the buyer will want the portfolio for commercial office investment.  However, it is a good idea to keep a watching brief on this site in the event the new owner proposes to change the zoning from B3 “commercial core” to B4 “mixed use/residential” .

475 to 501 Victoria Avenue (opposite RSL) – the addition of two new building to the site (one 4 storey commercial building SW corner of the site and a 16 storey hotel on the NE corner of the site) in addition to the current two 15-16 storey office towers. Issues around this development are the potential increase to very strong wind tunnels when there are Westerly and Southerly winds in the CBD.

Planning Proposal for 1-13 Spring Street, 56-70 Archer Street and 35 Albert Avenue – went to council meeting 25 June 2018 – Council voted to NOT support the public exhibition of the planning proposal and NOT forwarding to Dept. Planning and Environment seeking Gateway determination.  In summary, the proposal was to change the current B3 Commercial Core zoning to include residential usage.  The proposal was for 5 buildings on the site.

Pre Gateway Review of Planning Proposal for 65 Albert Avenue, (Mandarin Centre) – went to council meeting 25 June 2018. Council voted to NOT support the public exhibition of the planning proposal and advise the Dept. Planning and Environment the councils position when the Sydney North planning panel considers the Gateway determination application. In summary, the proposal was to change the current B3 Commercial Core zoning to include residential usage.

Planning Proposal  54-56 Anderson Street, Chatswood (near O’Brien St) – went to council meeting 25 June 2018. Council approved sending this planning proposal for gateway determination,  This planning proposal is for a spot rezone to 90 meters.  These proposals comply with the Draft Chatswood CBD plan, yet to be gazzetted. In summary the proposal is for ground level retail, level 2 and 3 commercial/office and 25 storeys of residential.

Planning Proposal for 58 Anderson Street (near O’Brien St) – this is a new planning proposal and seeks the same outcome as 54-56 Anderson Street a spot rezone to 90 meters (R2 to B4 “mixed use”) in accordance with the Chatswood CBD plan.  This proposal is still being assessed by council officers and has not yet come to council but is seeking a spot rezone in accordance with zoning under the ungazetted Chatswood CBD Plan.

Planning Proposal for 5-9 Gordon Avenue (Next to Chatswood bowling club on Gordon Street) – nothing through council yet, will probably be similar to 54-56 Anderson Street and 629 Pacific Highway (already gone off to Gateway).  The limited details of the planning proposal so far are spot rezone to 90 meters (from R3 to B4 “Mixed Use”) in accordance with zoning under the ungazetted Chatswood CBD Plan.

654 Pacific Highway, 666 Pacific Highway, 1 Freeman Road and 2A Oliver Road – Approved by Sydney North planning panel on 14 Feb 2018

67 Albert Avenue Chatswood (SAGE building) – went to Sydney North planning panel on 25 May 2018 and the decision was deferred subject to a number of matters to be addressed. These matters include obtaining a detailed approval history of the site to determine previous intention for the site to be considered in conjunction with the DA.  Clarification of proposed building height and floor space ratio, further solar (sun) analysis report and provide a wind analysis report regarding the impact of the DA and design changes specified by the Sydney North Planning Panel. The matter returns to the Panel/Public Meeting at 10AM on the 22^nd August at the Christie Centre, Walker St, North Sydney. David Grover (and Peter Hayes) plan to attend the meeting.

629 – 639 Pacific Highway, Chatswood – Gateway Determination (LEP Proposal) to be determined – Lodged with Dept. of Planning and Environment on 2 April 2018. For more information http://leptracking.planning.nsw.gov.au/proposaldetails.php?rid=5342

 688-692 Pacific Highway, Chatswood – this has come up in council papers a number of times in the last 2 months with regard to petitions, Notice of Motions, Questions etc.  One of the council meetings council resolved to write to the local member regarding the Dept. of Education buying the site.  Since that motion was passed at council, council have written and at a meeting between the local member, the GM and Mayor the issue was raised.  Representation has now been made to the Dept. of Education on behalf of the council and we are awaiting a response.  Council papers have also responded to a proposal to rezone that sight “Education” zoning.  Council’s advice to councillors is the Dept. of Planning and Environment have moved away from specific zonings of site and it is unlikely the department will approve a change to the Willoughby LEP if councillors approve a change. The State Government has indicated that it has no plans to acquire the site for a school, citing the plan redevelopment of Chatswood Public School and Chatswood High School.