Public submissions reveal backlash over 16 storey tower planned for Bondi Junction

The gravity of local backlash against a mammoth proposal for a 16-storey tower in Sydney’s east can be revealed, with fears it will wreck the sanctity of a heritage listed park and exploit affordable housing loopholes.

Inset and main: Artist impressions of the proposed unit tower at west end of Bondi Junction

More than 100 residents have spoken out on a controversial proposal for a 16 storey tower in Sydney’s east, slammed as luxury overdevelopment which will loom over a heritage listed park.

Stargate’s $79.9m “The Centennial Collection” plans to deliver 85 apartments across two towers, one 13 storeys and the other 16, at Bondi Junction’s western end.

Promising a “luxurious portal” to Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, 17 of the apartments will be designated as affordable housing for 15 years.

Since its initial submission in 2015, the proposal has faced backlash from residents and Waverley Council, showcasing rare “tri-partisan solidarity”.

With the exhibition period closing last week, 129 submissions from the public have become available, reflecting the gravity of the community’s concerns.

Residents at the rally against the proposal back in 2017.

Much of the criticism is surrounding the proposed height of 55 metres, which has been described as “fundamentally incompatible, untenable, excessively tall, unjustified, devastating, abhorrent” and “disfiguring”.

A primary concern is the predicted visual impact on Federation Valley in Centennial Park, a nationally significant heritage site, which would be overshadowed by the towers blocking the sun and looming over green space.

Artist impression of the completed interior of one of the Centennial Collection apartments.

Planning documents concede the towers would be “highly visible” from the park, which one submission stated “was a clear sign the bulk and scale are inappropriate for this sensitive and iconic public setting”.

“It would be a shame if our generations cannot pass on this precious park with its heritage surrounds that we have enjoyed for so long, already these towers will impinge,” the submission read.

“We can see it will dehumanise the landscape, the park will be disfigured by this proposed huge, impersonal construction,” another wrote.

Other submissions warned if the plans were approved, a “terrible precedent” would be set which would open the floodgates for like-minded developers wanting to “maximise views and profits” at the expense of heritage values and amenity.

Artist impression of the completed Centennial Collection for Nelson St Bondi Junction.

“If the proposal is approved it will be another blunder in Sydney’s tragic architectural history,” one letter wrote.

Overflowing traffic from the towers was cited as another nail in the coffin for Centennial Park, with predictions it would become a shortcut for residents and visitors trying to avoid local streets “already bursting at the seams”.

Another prominent grievance was the concern developers were taking the state government’s affordable housing bonus for a ride, by eclipsing local height controls by 57 per cent without adequate justification.

Artist impression view of the Centennial Collection from Centennial Park.

Under the bonus, developers are allowed to surpass height limits by 30 per cent, if at least 15 per cent of the proposed floor space is designated as affordable housing.

Critics believe the provisions are being leveraged as a loophole for luxury overdevelopment, by offering a “short-term tick-a-box exercise in affordability”.

One person warned the expansion was “an act of greed, not goodwill”, which “prioritises exclusive, high-end residences while failing to provide meaningful solutions for housing insecurity”.

“While affordable housing is essential, these incentives should not be used to bypass planning controls, the proposed increase appears to primarily benefit private, higher-end dwellings,” the submission read.

“The proposal appears to exploit affordable housing provisions primarily to justify the construction of luxury apartments with park and harbour views in one of Sydney’s most affluent areas,” another wrote.

On the other hand, seven submissions supported the proposal in the interest of increasing housing supply.

One submission stated “overshadowing a small corner” of the park was not enough to merit refusal, stating the proximity to open space was more reason to density the area.

Another letter wrote Bondi Junction was “primed for higher density development”, citing the nearby infrastructure.

Stargate was approached for comment.