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Green Square

Green Square Map > Click to EnlargeDraft Green Square Built Form Review

Background

The City has engaged consultants ‘Architectus Sydney Ltd’ to assess how the current planning controls are performing in the Green Square Urban Renewal Area, in terms of whether the right type of outcomes for development are being achieved.

This study is part of City wide investigations to assess how the planning controls are performing across the whole Local Government Area, but adopts a slightly different approach in terms of its methodology. The Green Square Area is one of the few areas of the City that has the potential to change quite significantly over the next 20-30 years. This provides us with an opportunity to build on the existing local character, and create a new liveable and sustainable community.

The study area consists of the suburbs of Zetland and Beaconsfield and part of Alexandria, Rosebery and Waterloo. The Green Square Town Centre area is not covered by the study, as it was subject to a separate review.

The study focuses on the existing character for the established residential precincts within Green Square, and makes recommendations for building heights and floor space rations, new roads, and potential local focal points such as shopping/retail centres.

Aim of the Study

The aim of the study is to review the planning controls that shape the size and density of new development, such as floor space ratios (FSRs), building height, and setbacks to achieve a better balance between buildings and local area amenity. Aspects of the review include the following:

  • FSR, as a mechanism to limit the intensity of land use, is reviewed to better respond to the character and identity of individual precincts within Green Square.
  • In assessing building height special consideration is given to streetscape, street frontage, building height range and a size of a plot.
  • Required setbacks and landscape provision is assessed taking into consideration existing street trees and planting, location of a development site and proximity to existing and proposed public open space.
  • Building bulk is evaluated in respect of visual scale and appropriateness, relationship to existing buildings and over-shadowing.

Ultimately this review will inform new planning controls for the area, in line with the Green Square vision as an attractive, vibrant and sustainable urban environment. The recommendations for proposed changes to the controls will be incorporated into new City-wide planning controls, the new City Plan, currently being drafted.

Methodology

The current Green Square DCP details heights, FSRs and other built form controls. These controls are being analysed and tested on twelve (12) chosen test sites within the study area as shown on the map (download the PDF below).  These sites have been chosen as they are most likely to be the areas that will change significantly and be re-developed over the next 20 -30 years. The testing sought to achieve a number of things, for example, checking that FSRs and heights are achievable for specific lots and reflect good urban design principles. On this basis, and with the input from the community through community workshops, the study then makes recommendations for new FSRs, heights and other built form controls across the area.

Download

Community Consultation

An initial presentation by the consultants was made at the Green Square Planning Forum at the Green Square Community Facility on Saturday 18 February 2006. You can download the consultant’s presentation as a PDF file.

Download

A workshop with local community input was held on 8 June 2006.  The findings from this workshop have been incorporated into the study, and reported back to the local community on 29 June 2006. You can download the consultants presentation made on the 29 June.

Download

Next Steps

The final stage of the Study has now commenced. The Draft Green Square Built Form Review Study is now on public exhibition until 30 October for public comment. The study incorporates the information presented in community meetings, the public comments received from the meetings, and proposed controls and guidelines for the new City Plan.

Once the Study is adopted by the Council it will inform the preparation of new planning controls for the whole Local Government Area, in the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP). You will be able to comment on the draft LEP and DCP when they are placed on exhibition in the future as well.

Note

The Draft Green Square Built Form Review Study has been commissioned by the City of Sydney for the purpose of providing expert assistance to the City of Sydney in determining appropriate planning controls for the Green Square Urban Renewal Area.

The recommendations and findings made by the consultants have not been adopted or endorsed by Council in any way. Any recommendations relating to LEP and DCP planning controls made within this report will not be taken into account in the assessment of any proposed development.

The information presented has been compiled using a variety of methods. While care has been taken to ensure its accuracy, the City of Sydney does not warrant the information is complete or accurate. Viewers must exercise their own skill and discretion.

Downloads

Please note that the Built Form Review is a large document, and contains many colour images. It will take some time to download.

Draft Green Square Built Form Review Study

More Information

For further information or to submit comments please contact:

John Davies, Specialist Planner
Green Square Team
Email: greensquare@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Tel: 02 9265 9346

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Last Updated: Wednesday 14 October, 2009

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.