420 units, aged care home to be fast-tracked on Sydney’s north shore in response to COVID-19
Almost $200 million worth of development projects will be fast-tracked on Sydney’s north shore in a move the State Government hopes creates new jobs in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
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More than 400 units and a 120 bed aged care home on Sydney’s north shore have been included in a list of fast-tracked development plans the State Government hopes creates new jobs in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Four development proposals in St Leonards and Lane Cove have been included in a list of 24 “first wave” projects that will receive a fast-tracked assessment process aimed at stimulating economic activity in the wake of the health crisis.
Three of the projects involve construction of high-rise residential and commercial towers in St Leonards, valued at a total of $159.6 million.
The largest development would have 239 apartments across 36 storeys at 100 Christie St in St Leonards along with ground level shops, five floors of office space, and a public park.
Similar plans will also be fast-tracked at 23-35 Atchison Street in St Leonards as part of a rezoning proposal for 102 units in an 11 storey tower.
The Forty Winks outlet in St Leonards would also be demolished to make way for a 12 storey building with 82 apartments at 575-583 Pacific Hwy.
The most contentious project on the list is a $32.5 million aged care home proposal in Lane Cove that involves rezoning five shops and a petrol station at 4-18 Northwood Rd and 274-274a Longueville Rd.
Backing on to Lane Cove Golf Course, the project would have 130 residential care beds in buildings up to 12 metres tall along with ground level shops and basement carparking.
Concerns among residents have included traffic impacts, the bulk and scale of the project and cumulative impacts of other nearby development proposals including plans for a 70 aged care beds and 92 senior apartment development at 266 Longueville Rd.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes said each of the projects would be subject to “stringent” assessments as part of the speedy development process.
“It’s important to note that this is not a greenlighting exercise, the same stringent checks, balances and community consultation that ensures transparency, public benefit and merit-based assessment of projects remain,” he said.
The Department of Planning said each of the projects had been included in the list for meeting set criteria including being able to commence construction within six months and demonstrating a “public benefit”.
The department stated construction works on the developments would create 384 jobs – almost half of which would come from the Christie St project.
Each of the four projects has been in the works since at least 2018, with plans for the Lane Cove aged home dating back to 2017.
Pathways Property Group, which has lodged the proposal, said the development would meet the ageing population on the lower north shore and “stimulate the growth of the local economy” by offering employment opportunities for the community.
The Department of Planning said a probity advisor would oversee and report on the fast-tracked assessment process to ensure it is “transparent and robust”.