Eastwood Shopping Centre: Plans determined for $309m upgrade of ageing centre amid community debate
A $309m redevelopment of an ageing Sydney shopping centre is sparking mixed reactions among the community with some fearing it will turn the suburb into “the next Chatswood” while others argue the revamp is desperately overdue.
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A major redevelopment of an ageing Eastwood shopping centre is sparking mixed reactions among the community with some locals fearing it will turn the suburb into “the next Chatswood” while others argue the revamp is desperately overdue.
The Sydney North Planning Panel has approved a $309m redevelopment of the Eastwood Shopping Centre, paving the way for dozens of shops at the complex to be demolished to make way for a new retail hub topped with 411 units.
The development – which will have six buildings ranging from six to 16 storeys – has been subject to staunch community debate with some residents claiming the large-scale development will change the face of the suburb and block sunlight to surrounding properties.
However, the plans have also generated support from business groups and the Eastwood Chamber of Commerce which says the current 1960s-era shopping centre is long overdue for an upgrade.
At a planning panel meeting this month, multiple residents aired their grievances over the proposal including doctor John Beattie who said the development risked turning Eastwood into a Chatswood or Surfers Paradise-style high rise precinct that could exacerbate traffic and result in overshadow to surrounding sites.
Resident Noah Zheng said the proposed towers could block sunlight into his building, which stands 9m away from the development site.
“The development will block all the sunlight completely and will make my building darker and unlivable,” he said.
“It will directly overlook my living space and leave me with no reasonable privacy.”
Andy Lin, who owns a butcher shop at the current shopping centre – has supported the redevelopment but says he had “no idea” what would happen to his business during the lengthy construction period.
“The centre needs to be rebuilt because it’s smelly and water is leaking from the roof but we don’t know how long (the development) will take to complete and what will happen to us when it’s taking place,” he said.
“Where do we go? We don’t know.”
Eastwood Chamber of Commerce secretary Steve Colquhoun has supported the upgrades, which he said could breathe new life into the shopping precinct.
“The centre is very old and people are crying out for better retail in Eastwood,” he said.
“Progress is positive and I don’t think it will change the vibe of the area – if anything it will add to it.”
Once completed, the redevelopment will include new retail areas, supermarkets, restaurants, offices, communal open space and 1135 carparking spaces.
All existing buildings at the development site – spanning Rowe St and Rutledge St – will be demolished as part of the construction process.
Peter O’Meagher, a representative for developer Eastwood Centre Pty Ltd, said the plans had undergone “significant amendments” over the past year to mitigate impacts on surrounding properties including a two-storey reduction in the original proposed maximum building height.
The planning panel, in its decision to approve the development, found it would not create “unreasonable environmental impacts on neighbouring properties” and might help address a “growing housing need” in the local area.
The redevelopment plans follow the release of an Eastwood Masterplan by Ryde Council which aims to provide additional housing density in the area.
Development plans stated: “Eastwood is well-suited for increased housing density due to its existing infrastructure, public transport access and community amenities, making it a prime location for delivering additional homes.”
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Originally published as Eastwood Shopping Centre: Plans determined for $309m upgrade of ageing centre amid community debate
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