Planning proposal: Waterloo estate (south)
The planning proposal for Waterloo estate (south) will change the planning controls to provide a mix of public, affordable and private housing.
Project Status: In progress
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is the authority for the Waterloo estate (south) planning proposal.
Update
On 17 March 2021 the planning process for the Waterloo south planning proposal changed.
The City of Sydney is no longer the planning authority for the planning proposal.
The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has made the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment responsible for the planning process.
The department will have responsibility for the public consultation of a planning proposal for Waterloo estate (south) and remains responsible for finalising the new planning controls for the Waterloo south planning proposal.
An Independent Advisory Group has been established to provide advice to the Department about the City of Sydney’s planning proposal.
The Minister will consider the advice of the group and department, and will issue a gateway determination later in 2021.
The gateway determination may instruct the department to put a planning proposal on public exhibition. The planning proposal may be the same as the City of Sydney’s version or the Minister may require changes be made.
Read more about the new process, find contact details for enquiries, and sign-up for updates on the department’s website.
City of Sydney proposal
The proposed redevelopment of the Waterloo housing estate by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation is a large-scale project to provide a mix of social, affordable and private housing in Waterloo.
In February 2021, Council and the Central Sydney Planning Committee considered a planning proposal for the southern part of the Waterloo housing estate.
Council and the CSPC approved the planning proposal to be referred to the Minister for Planning once the NSW Government has made an appropriate offer for the delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
View the meeting agendas, Council and CSPC reports, webcasts and minutes:
- Transport, Heritage and Planning Committee – Monday 15 February 2021
- Central Sydney Planning Committee – Thursday 18 February 2021
- Council – Monday 22 February 2021.
From 17 March 2021, the planning process for this project has changed. Please visit the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website.
About the planning proposal
NSW Land and Housing Corporation lodged a request with the City of Sydney in May 2020 to change the planning controls for the southern part of the Waterloo housing estate. This followed an announcement by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in November 2019 that the City of Sydney is the plan making authority for the Waterloo estate.
The City of Sydney has made some important changes to the request from the NSW Land and Housing Corporation.
The City of Sydney’s planning proposal includes information about new buildings, streets and parks and a mix of private and social and affordable housing.
The changes will improve the living environment for residents, including:
- streets and walkways will be wider and easier to navigate
- there will be a new main street with shops and services
- more of the buildings will be medium rise
- there will be fewer towers and these will be at the southern edge of the estate, where they will minimise the overshadowing of apartments
- there will be more sunlight and wind impacts will be better managed
- we’re also proposing more affordable housing and housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The planning proposal allows for around 3,000 dwellings, which is similar to the NSW Land and Housing Corporation's request.
The planning proposal includes space for a large park next to the Waterloo metro station and a smaller park. Also, spaces for community facilities, retail and commercial uses.
Current proposal – City of Sydney
About the Waterloo south area
Waterloo south is 12.32 hectares – that’s around 65% of the total Waterloo estate.
It currently includes:
- 749 social housing units owned by NSW Land and Housing Corporation
- 120 private units and houses
- some commercial properties.
The area for the redevelopment for Waterloo south is marked in the map below.
What this means for tenants in Waterloo south
NSW Land and Housing Corporation is responsible for the redevelopment of the estate. This means it decides who it partners with and who’ll own or manage new social and community housing.
The long-term project includes many steps such as detailed development applications for new buildings. The applications are likely to be assessed by NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment as NSW Land and Housing Corporation projects over $100 million are state significant development.
NSW Land and Housing Corporation said it will give at least 6 months notice to any tenants who must move while the site is being redeveloped. The City of Sydney will work closely with the NSW Government to make sure the wellbeing of existing tenants is prioritised during the changes.
If you have any questions about future tenant relocations, please contact the NSW Land and Housing Corporation on 1800 738 718 or email [email protected].
