New South Head Rd: Woollahra councillors clash over Edgecliff planning proposal

A contentious plan to boost an Edgecliff site’s height limit by almost four times – – from 13m to 46m – has sparked fiery debate among Woollahra councillors, with fears it could lead to another “Double Bay planning disaster”.

Plans to raise the maximum building height by almost four times – from 13m to 46m – for a site just minutes from Edgecliff train station has sparked fierce debate, with one critic warning of another “Double Bay planning disaster”.

Woollahra Council ultimately refused to endorse a planning proposal for 136-148 New South Head Rd following a lively debate at a recent meeting. Council’s own planning committee had recommended the requested change in planning controls to be refused.

Some councillors said if the proposed change to height limits, which would pave the way for a 12-storey tower in plans lodged by urban development firm Ingham Planning, was endorsed it would represent “ad hoc decision-making” and hurt council’s overarching vision for the commercial precinct.

Woollahra Council is currently developing a new strategy for the area surrounding the train station and existing Edgecliff Centre shopping centre.

Public consultation on the Edgecliff Master Plan ended in September with a final report due in coming months. The masterplan was borne from an overwhelming number of requests by developers to increase height limits to build residential apartments.

A proposal was put to council for a 12-storey apartment complex on New South Head Road, Edgecliff. Image: Woollahra Council.

Artist’s impression of the development from the bottom of New South Head Road. Image: Woollahra Council.

Council’s website states it has undertaken a strategic review of planning controls for Edgecliff’s commercial centre “to provide a clear and co-ordinated approach to planning that will prevent ad hoc development”.

Deputy mayor Isabelle Shapiro spoke in favour of the “strategic and site-specific merit” of the New South Head Rd proposal at the recent council meeting, stating plans for the 12-storey tower would not have as significant an impact as a nearby 31-storey apartment complex.

Impression of the outline of the proposed development. Image: Woollahra Council.

The earmarked 12-storey tower would include 41 apartments above 3-4 levels of commercial floor space, including ground level retail.

Cr Shapiro said the development would contribute to housing supply in an area close to public transport.

“For me the best place for an increase in density is close to a transport centre,” she said.

But several other councillors argued the ad hoc surrender of planning controls had led to community outrage over a glut of major developments in Double Bay.

Councillor Sarah Swan said if the height increase was approved, it threatened to set “a dangerous precedent” for developer’s ambitions ahead of council’s finalised master plan.

“It represents ad hoc decision-making,” Cr Swan warned.

Cr Isabelle Shapiro supported more apartments nearby Edgecliff Station.

Woollahra councillors Nicola Grieve and Matthew Robertson said the council should stick to its strategy for the area. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Greens councillors Nicola Grieve and Matthew Roberts and independent Councillor Mark Silcocks said council should stick to its strategy to protect its integrity.

Allowing another ad hoc change would leave council vulnerable to “have the Double Bay planning disaster again,” Cr Grieve said.

Cr Roberts said Double Bay showed what happened when “strategic plans went out the window”.

Council voted nine against four to not endorse the planning proposal.

Meeting minutes state the New South Head Rd site plans will be incorporated into the Edgecliff Commercial Centre strategy as a potential development site.