St Leonards, Crows Nest: backlash over fast-tracked plan for 6800 new units
Backlash is growing over plans for more than 6000 units in two north shore suburbs amid concerns a “fast-tracked” approval process will result in a glut of apartments and leave local schools stretched to the limit. SEE THE PLANS.
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Backlash is growing over a list of “fast-tracked” development approvals for more than 6000 units in two suburbs on Sydney’s north shore amid fears it will lead to an oversupply of apartments and leave schools and public transport stretched to the limit.
North Sydney Council has thrown cold water on the State Government’s move to expedite a list of contentious planning proposals as part of its push to stimulate jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Proposals included within the speedy approval process include the St Leonards Crows Nest 2036 plan that would almost double the area’s population by allowing buildings up to 50 storeys tall on 32 “significant sites” in the town centres.
The plan – accommodating a total of 6800 units – has been in the works since 2016 and would pave the way for a list of recent development applications to be given the green light including 500 units above the Royal North Hospital and 310 apartments on a site dubbed “The Crows Nest Triangle” on the corner of the Pacific Hwy and Falcon St.
Also fast-tracked are plans for 350 units and a 250-bed hotel above the new Crows Nest Metro station and three separate skyscrapers with a total of 423 units on Christie St, Atchison St and the current St Leonards Forty Winks outlet.
The State Government said fast-tracking the proposals was designed to stimulate economic activity and keep people in work including the 354 construction jobs required for the Crows Nest Metro development.
But in a report released this week, the council warned the commutative impacts of the projects could lead to a glut of apartments, leave public infrastructure pushed beyond capacity, turn congested roads into no-go zones and cause overshadowing in the two town centres.
“Council supports the need to address the economic challenges arising from the current pandemic, however St Leonards and Crows Nest are not simply tools to stimulate the economy,” the council said.
Other development applications supported within the 2036 plan include a 266 unit tower at 20-22 Atchison St and 366 units at 522-542 Pacific Hwy – on top of the 1722 units already under construction at the nearby St Leonards Square, Landmark, and 88 By JQZ towers.
Councillor Zoe Baker said new parks, schools and public transport should be fast-tracked before further skyscrapers begin appearing on the local skyline.
“The amount of social infrastructure required for the increase development include two schools, a library, youth centres, affordable housing – that should come before the population, not after,” she said.
“It’s an absolute mockery of a process.”
Similar feedback has been lodged in more than 1000 public submissions while councillors have questioned if the coronavirus outbreak could hinder the delivery of the 16,500 jobs outlined in the 2036 plan required to match the area’s population growth.
“What this pandemic has highlighted is that there are changes in workplace cultures and needs – we’ve locked our borders, we’re not going to be having that great influx,” Cr Baker said.
The council has written to the Department of Planning for an urgent meeting to discuss its concerns and called for additional community consultation before further approvals are handed down.
The Department of Planning in a statement said the fast-tracked approval process included “checks and balances” to address community concerns.
“The program is a key part of the government’s COVID-19 recovery plan as we continue to get shovel-ready projects out the door to keep people in jobs and keep the economy moving,” Planning Minister Rob Stokes said.
“Now is the time for us to all work together to make decisions quickly and decisively to help create more opportunities for jobs and investment, right across the state.”
IN THE PIPELINE
Crows Nest Metro
The development would include three buildings including a 27 storey tower with 350 units and a 17 storey hotel with 250 rooms. There would also be an eight storey building with offices, 150 carparks, landscaping works and public artworks.
The Crows Nest Triangle
Nineteen shops will be demolished to make way for a 140m skyscraper with 310 units on the corner of the Pacific Hwy and Falcon St.
Royal North Shore
The development will include 500 units, a “medi-hotel”, shops and offices. Property NSW said the site could include a new primary school, however was “too early to confirm the location, final scope or project timelines”.
524-542 Pacific Hwy
One of the last strips of low-density shops surrounding St Leonards Station would be demolished to make way for the 195m tall tower with 366 units and a childcare centre.
20-22 Atchison St, Leonards
The $200 million tower block would have 266 apartments, shops and office space.
100 Christie St, St Leonards
A 36 storey building has been fast-tracked for the site with plans for ground level shops, five floors of office space and a public reserve. The development will have a total of 239 apartments.
23-35 Atchison St, St Leonards
102 units will be built in an 11 storey tower along with ground level shops on the Atchison St site.
575-583 Pacific Hwy
A 12 storey building with 82 apartments has been fast-tracked for the Forty Winks site in St Leonards.