The 8 developments set to shape the north shore in 2022
New retail hubs, major school upgrades and city-shaping transport projects are among the biggest developments set to transform Sydney’s north shore in 2022. See the full list:
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From new retail hubs to city-shaping transport projects, Sydney’s north shore is becoming a hive of major construction activity.
We take a look at eight developments set to change the transform the region’s landscape in the coming year:
TUNNEL VISION
The subsurface of the north shore will begin to resemble a block of Swiss cheese throughout 2022 with construction work ramping up Sydney’s next tunnel project.
Works have already started on the multi-billion dollar Western Harbour Tunnel linking the Warringah Freeway in Cammeray to WestConnex in Rozelle.
The Warringah Freeway upgrade is one of the first major components of construction with substantial works due to continue throughout 2022.
The impacts caused by the development have already met with a staunch community response which has included concerns over the loss of hundreds of established trees felled for the project.
The project’s encroachment onto green space at Cammeray Golf Course and St Leonards Park have also been met with objections from many residents.
The State Government meanwhile has separate plans for the Beaches Link tunnel that would link the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray and the Gore Hill Freeway in Artarmon to Balgowlah and Killarney Heights.
In recent weeks, the government has committed to ongoing planning for the project despite speculation it could be axed partly due to the estimated $14 billion construction bill.
RAIL PARK
Lane Cove Council is looking at the region’s train tracks to solve the dilemma of where to put new green space to address the region’s population surge.
Elevated boardwalks, kids play areas, lookouts and picnic areas would be built over a section of the North Shore Rail Line south of St Leonards Station as part of a $20 million project that commenced in December
The new green space will also have a meandering lawn, planter walls, a boardwalk, lookout points over the rail line, picnic areas, meeting nooks and barbecue areas.
The council said the project was designed to address the construction boom in St Leonards and Crows Nest that is set to see 6600 new dwellings built in the two suburbs over the next 15 years.
A report to next week’s council meeting has narrowed down a shortlist of five names for the park including Bulga Ngurang (meaning – green place), Bulga Park (meaning green park), McKenzie Plaza (named after Florence Violet McKenzie), St Leonards Plaza (to reflect the location) and Wadanggari Place (meaning Banksia Place).
If supported by councillors, consultation will be held on the names for residents to put forward their preference
Construction on the park will continue until December with an opening date expected over the summer holidays.
RETAIL BOOM
North shore residents will have even more places to shop with new supermarkets and retail complexes set to open across the region.
A new Harris Farm outlet in Lane Cove is set to become the first to launch as part of the opening of the Lane Cove Central development next month.
Coles will also rebuild its Lindfield supermarket into a new mixed use development featuring 70 new units above the site.
Other new retail complexes include a Woolworths outlet under construction in Smith St, Chatswood, a new Dan Murphy’s outlet on Burns Bay Rd in Lane Cove, a new Coles on the Pacific Hwy in St Leonards and a new Woolworths Metro in Mosman.
There are also plans for a new Harris Farm in Turrmaurra, and new retail shops planned in the redevelopment of the Big Bear Shopping Centre in Neutral Bay.
POOL REDEVELOPMENT
The world’s most beautiful pool is set to become Sydney’s newest aquatic centre as part of a major $64 million redevelopment.
Work is pushing ahead on the redevelopment of North Sydney Olympic Pool which includes the construction of a new 50m eight lane pool, water play area, 900-seat grandstand and upgrades to the existing 25m pool.
Once completed, users will also be able to make use of new sundecks, an expanded gymnasium, cafes, shops and a restaurant.
North Sydney Council said the overdue works are partly aimed at addressing structural woes at the site that included corrosion in the grandstand and pool structures that required “immediate replacement” to bring up to safe standards.
Construction activity will continue throughout this year ahead of the reopening, expected in February 2023.
TV HUB REDEVELOPMENT
Residents in Willoughby may want to invest in a pair of noise cancelling headphones with major construction works continuing this year at the former Channel 9 site.
Known as the location of Australia’s first television news bulletin broadcast in 1956, the former TV studios will be turned into more than 400 units as part of Mirvac’s residential redevelopment.
Along with units, the project would also have a pavilion for community events and an avenue of pocket parks, to be named Henderson Park in honour of legendary broadcaster Brian Henderson who read the weekly news over the course of six decades.
There are also separate plans by developer Walter Projects to turn 19 low density homes directly south of the site into 164 units.
In early feedback, residents have raised concerns about the cumulative impacts of the two projects including traffic congestion and overshadowing.
Early works on the Channel 9 site have included the demolition of the prominent TX Tower which was a familiar sight on the north shore landscape for more than 60 years.
SCHOOL REBUILDS
Construction work on a mammoth redevelopment of two of the north shore’s largest public schools will continue throughout this year.
More than 700 new students will be added to Chatswood Public and High Schools once the $153 million redevelopments of each site are completed.
The works at Chatswood Primary School include two seven storeys tall buildings with new classrooms, staff facilities and rooftop play areas.
Chatswood High School will meanwhile have three new buildings with a library, classrooms, two workshops and a hall with sports room facilities.
The developments will include 29 new classrooms at Chatswood Public School and 42 at the high school.
Enrolment capacity at the primary school will be increased to 1600 and 2000 at the high school – up from the current 1575 students at the high school and 1315 at the primary school.
Upgrades are also planned for a long list of other schools across the region including Mosman High School, North Sydney Public Schools, Riverview College and the Lindfield Learning Village.
CLUB WILLOUGHBY
One of the north shore’s biggest clubs will be transformed into a new multi storey venue and seniors living complex as part of a $95 million redevelopment.
Club Willoughby is in the process of rebuilding its outdated venue into a new three storey club that will include gaming areas, a sports room, restaurants, a dance floor and a function room available for hire.
The development will also have 125 seniors units and a 72-bed aged care facility in buildings up to five storeys tall at the site.
The club said the redevelopment would partly address the ageing state of the existing club and ensure the venue’s long-term financial viability.
The project is expected to take about three years to complete.
BUNNINGS PYMBLE
Bunnings will soon add a new store in Pymble to its network as part of a $39 million development.
Work is nearing completion on the new hardware hub at the corner of the Pacific Hwy and Ryde Rd with a opening date expected in coming months.
The store will span more than 15,000 square metres and also includes an outdoor nursery and two basement levels with 333 carparks.
The project was approved in 2020 after a seven year dispute between the retailer and Ku-ring-gai Council, dating back to when plans were released in 2012.
The council had rejected the proposal due to concerns including the demolition of the old 3M building — a site listed as a local heritage item.
Bunnings said the new store would create more than 200 jobs in the local area once open.
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