Australian Medical Association fights 42 storey rental skyscraper over privacy, view impacts

Australia’s leading medical association is locked in a planning battle over a major new skyscraper next to its corporate headquarters over fears the height of the building could obliterate the building’s harbour views and cause privacy impacts.

Australia’s leading medical association is locked in a planning battle over a major new skyscraper next to its corporate headquarters over fears the height of the building could obliterate the building’s harbour views and cause privacy impacts.

The Australian Medical Association has raised objections over a NSW Government-led rezoning proposal to turn a strip of shops on the Pacific Hwy in St Leonards into a new 42-storey tower building that would cater exclusively for renters.

The $209 million development – classified as a ‘build-to-rent’ development – is aimed at easing the shortage of accommodation for renters including those saving to buy their home or for those who choose to rent long term.

The development would have 272 build-to-rent homes directly next to the seven storey AMA head office on Christie St along with 10 key worker housing units, 84 serviced apartments, and retail areas and the lower levels of the building.

The AMA has strongly opposed the development, saying it would have “extensive visual, overshadowing and amenity impacts” on its office.

A concept image of the ground levels of the proposed 42 storey tower.

“The proposal will not enhance the amenity of the area but be a burden on the locality and represents the over development and over intensification of the site beyond which it can suitably provide,” the AMA wrote in an objection letter.

“It will inevitably result in amenity, view loss and overshadowing impacts surrounding the site (and) result in a significant increase to overshadowing at all times of the day.”

The AMA has also raised further concerns that the development could cause parking impacts in surrounding streets with the tower providing just 48 on-site carparking spaces.

The proposed development would become one of the tallest towers in Sydney’s north.

The AMA Sydney office is located next to the site.

Lane Cove Council has also criticised the project for providing a lack of affordable housing with just 10 of the 272 units to be classified as ‘affordable’ units.

The council said its staff had made a number of unsuccessful attempts for the developer to increase the number of affordable housing units.

Plans for the rezoning by developer Home Apartments stated the proposal would help address housing demand in the local area.

If approved, the development would become the second tallest building in St Leonards, standing 155 metres tall.

A photo of the development site.

“(The development) will deliver important social and economic benefits to the community by contributing to housing diversity, stability and affordability for Sydney’s growing population,” the plans stated.

Home Apartments stated the proposed development is in line with the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan which has a target of creating more than 5000 new units across the two suburbs over the next decade.

However, the AMA says the build to rent tower would stand seven stories taller than the original building height outlined in the plan.

The proposal currently remains under assessment by the NSW Department of Planning.