Planning Department signs off on rare Eastern Suburbs rezoning

Written by

Charbel Abousleiman

Urban Planning Lawyer & Buyers Agent

26/06/2023

Ingham Property is seeking amendments to Woollahra LEP to introduce a site-specific clause to allow exceptions to the mapped building height of 14.5 metres up to 42 metres and a 5:1 FSR.

The proposal is based on a concept development scheme that features:

a 12-storey mixed commercial and apartment complex with a rooftop terrace,
41 apartments with mixed sizes,
retention of the existing heritage item at 138 New South Head Road, and
a total of 8723 square metres of floor space, comprising 5872 square metres of residential space and 2851 square metres of commercial space.

The height is considered by Woollahra Council to be similar to the Eastpoint development (where the bus interchange is situated) on the opposite side of New South Head Road. The complex will be lower than the proposed 14 – 26-storeys for the southern side of New South Head Road under the draft Edgecliff Commercial Centre Planning and Urban Design Strategy, as well as the 31-storey apartment building known as ‘Ranelagh’ directly north of the site.

Aerial image of the subject sites

The site consists of 3 buildings, including a 2-storey Inter-War Functionalist heritage-listed building at 136 New South Head Road. It is used for commercial and residential purposes. The site also accommodates a part 3 and part 4-storey Inter-War residential building and 2-storey Federation Arts and Crafts former building, currently being used as commercial and medical suites.

The existing streetscape of New South Head Road features inconsistent typologies, fragmented built scales and low pedestrian amenity. Development of these sites provide an opportunity to enhance the consistency of built form along the northern side of New South Head Road. A coherent and consistent alignment of buildings would benefit the streetscape, whilst remaining sympathetic to the adjoining development.

Project background

The proponent initially had a meeting with Council about the concept plan for a building height of 66-metres (18-storeys) and Council subsequently asked to reduce this to 12-storeys.

After a planning proposal was requested, the Woollahra Local Planning Panel advised Council that it had insufficient strategic and site-specific merit to proceed as a stand-alone proposal, and that it should be incorporated into the Draft Edgecliff Commercial Centre Planning and Urban Design Strategy.

The proponent then lodged a rezoning review with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment after Council did not make a determination within 90 days.

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