New South Head Rd, Edgecliff: Council approves controversial 12-storey residential tower
A controversial plan for an eastern suburbs residential tower – which faced backlash from residents – has been approved after developers bypassed a council objection. See what it means here.
Wentworth Courier
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The fate of a controversial high-rise residential building at the gateway to the Eastern suburbs has now been sealed.
Woollahra councillors this week decided to approve a long-rejected plan to see a 12-storey residential tower built at 136-148 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff.
The plans earmarked an increase in height limit of the site raised from 14m to 46m, sparking backlash from council and residents.
In July 2022, Woollahra councillors refused to endorse the planning proposal, but just a year later, the NSW Planning Department issued a gateway determination after developer called for a rezoning review to see the development greenlit.
Following public submissions, which saw 63 per cent of residents supporting the high-rise apartment complex, councillors voted to approve the development and backflip on their previous stance.
Residents supporting the proposal said it was a much-needed upgrade for the area, that would modernise and help with the chronic housing shortages in greater Sydney.
Double Bay resident Tom Pongrass said that he “totally supports” an uplift in housing density in Edgecliff.
“Edgecliff urgently needs more housing, as we are in a housing crisis,” mr Pongrass said.
“It needs more modern and iconic buildings, which this development would provide.
“Existing buildings are an eyesore.”
Bellevue Hill local Tom Curtis also showed “strong support” for the development plan.
“This development is exciting ... the council should not lose this opportunity to work cooperatively with a reputable developer to replace the current four old and ugly buildings with an attractive modern building,” he said.
Residents rejecting the proposal said the roading infrastructure needed to be upgraded before starting any new development in the area.
Darling Point resident Dr Clare Caldwell who has been living in the development zone for the last 10 years said she “strongly objected” to the new apartment complex.
She said the council had to do a full assessment of traffic flow before any new development could proceed.
“On any given morning, cars can wait up to seven sets of traffic lights to turn right into New South Head Rd towards the city.
“Add hundreds of new residents and potentially hundreds of cars exiting from this proposed development into Darling Point Rd, and there will be traffic chaos,” she said.
Liberal councillor Sarah Swan said the NSW Government was “imposing” increased density on councils, and approving the development was a means of maintaining some control over the process.
“The Minns Government is shoving increased density down the throats of all councils,” Ms Swan said.
Ms Swan said supporting the motion was the best way to ensure the council could maintain control of the process and prevent them from allowing further uplift.
“If we don’t do it, then the Minns Government will force us to do it,” she said.
Independent councillor Mark Silcocks said he reluctantly voted in favour of the planned proposal because he had no other choice.
“The Department of Planning has made it clear that they will ultimately approve it regardless of the council’s position, and therefore, I feel it best that we now work with the developer to get the best possible outcome for our community,” Mr Silcocks said.
Green Councillor Nicola Grieve said she voted against the planning proposal “as a matter of principle”.
“The council is not the decision maker on this planning proposal ... It is the Minister for Planning who will decide.
“We had nothing to lose by supporting our existing controls,” Ms Grieve said.
The vision for the tower includes ground floor retail space, 3-4 levels of commercial space and 41 residential apartments.
Additionally, it included plans office and retail space, a mix of one- to five-bedroom apartments, and three levels of basement parking.
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