Tall & Urban News

The New South Wales government’s vision for St Leonards and Crows Nest has been released with tower heights reduced and the number of dwellings to be built cut to 6,683, a reduction of 700 dwellings, according to the finalized 2036 plan.

Released by planning minister Rob Stokes on Saturday, building heights have been capped, with tower heights between the two Metro station sites in Crows Nest and St Leonards cut.

The finalized plan has reduced building heights for the tallest towers planned along the Pacific highway near St Leonards station to 42 stories, down from the previously planned 60 stories.

The state government had attracted widespread scrutiny for its lack of collaboration with local government and the community, when the initial draft plan was put on public exhibition in 2018. Feedback on the plan included complaints about overdevelopment, and that projects could lead to a glut of apartments and push local public infrastructure beyond capacity.

The St Leonards Crows Nest 2036 plan, was deemed one of four initial priority projects to consider for fast-tracking in July by the department of planning's newly-formed planning delivery unit designed to stimulate economic growth in the wake of the pandemic outbreak.

On the recent announcement, Stokes said the plan would guide the delivery of a “greener, better connected” Crows Nest and St Leonards precinct, with the addition of new parks, public spaces, better pedestrian access and increased employment space.

The final plan includes AUD$116 million (US$85 million) towards special infrastructure contributions from developers towards road upgrades, education facilities and transport links.

The state has also pegged 8-hectares of extra park space, which it says will be partly funded by developer contributions.

It has committed AUD$78 million (US$57 million) to public spaces across the St Leonards and Crows Nest area, including the new Metro Park on Holtermann Street.

Deemed a state significant development, the Sydney Metro Crows Nest concept application involves development at three sites; the 27-story residential tower which would sit atop the station, a 17-story tower earmarked for hotel accommodation, and an 8-story commercial tower.

For more on this story, go to The Urban Developer.