20 December 2024
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has today approved, subject to conditions, the Dee Why Mixed Use Development (SSD-68230714), located at 4 Delmar Parade and 812 Pittwater Road, Dee Why within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area. This State significant development will provide a total of 280 apartments, including 43 affordable housing units and 4 commercial tenancies.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure completed its whole-of-government assessment of the Dee Why Mixed Use Development in November 2024. Northern Beaches Council had objected to the development. The Commission has determined the application as the delegate of the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
The two-member Commission Panel, comprising Mr Michael Chilcott (Chair) and Ms Suellen Fitzgerald, met with key stakeholders, conducted a site inspection and received 26 written submissions from the community.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission found that the project is consistent with “the aims of the NSW Government to increase the supply of well-located housing, including
affordable housing” and “relevant State and local planning framework in delivering a high quality mixed-use development with in-fill housing and commercial floorspace, as also envisaged under the Dee Why Town Centre Master Plan.”
The Commission is satisfied that the development is consistent with the Objects of the EP&A Act and the provisions of applicable statutory instruments. The Commission finds that all residual environmental, social, land use and safety impacts of the Project can be managed or mitigated, subject to the conditions of consent imposed by the Commission, and approval of the project is in the public interest.
The Commission finds that overshadowing and visual impacts on Stony Range Regional Botanical Garden (SRRBG) do not form a basis for refusal of the application given that the project would result in a lesser overshadowing impact than that which would result from a building of compliant height at the southern boundary of the Site, and visual impacts are consistent and reasonable having regard to the height and floor space development standards applicable to the Site.
The Commission acknowledges that SRRBG is a significant, volunteer-run community asset and notwithstanding the impacts of the project, the Commission considers that SRRBG will be capable of providing continued benefit to users and visitors, including amenity, retreat and socialisation.
All documents relating to the assessment and determination of this proposal can be found on the Commission’s website.