Posted: 23.12.2024
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has today approved a 22-storey mixed use development with affordable housing in Crows Nest (SSD-66826207). The site, located at Five Ways in Crows Nest (bounded by the Pacific Highway, Falcon and Alexander Streets) is within the North Sydney local government area and North Sydney Council had objected to the proposed development.
This State significant development comprises commercial premises within a three-storey podium, a 19-storey residential tower above with 188 apartments (140 market and 48 affordable housing apartments) and seven basement levels.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure completed its whole-of-government assessment of the development in November 2024. 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 Wright (Chair) and Mr Duncan Marshall AM, met with key stakeholders including a representative of a local community group, conducted a site inspection and received 19 written submissions. A public meeting was scheduled but did not go ahead due to a low number of speaker registrations.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission found that the project is “consistent with the applicable strategic planning framework as it will deliver additional housing, including affordable housing, with good access to public transport connections, employment centres, services and amenity.”
The Commission acknowledged the key issues raised by North Sydney Council and the community including built form and design, heritage impacts, residential amenity, traffic, parking, and servicing, affordable housing, construction noise and overshadowing impacts. The project was eligible for up to 30% uplift in height and density under the Housing SEPP. The Commission found the development would not result in unacceptable traffic, overshadowing or visual impacts on the surrounding environment and heritage conservation areas and would be consistent with the increased density of the future character of Crows Nest as part of the Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development Accelerated Precinct.
Conditions of consent have been imposed to strengthen environmental management by requiring construction to be undertaken in accordance with the recommendations of the Heritage Impact Statement and subsequent heritage information provided. The conditions also respond to concerns raised by the community and stakeholders by requiring a detailed Green Travel Plan to be updated annually in consultation with Transport for NSW and a Car Parking, Loading and Servicing Management Plan to be prepared and implemented.
The Commission concluded that the development was consistent with the Objects of the EP&A Act and in the public interest.
All documents relating to the assessment and determination of this proposal can be found on the Commission’s website.
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