Land use information

2014 Major Infrastructure and Land Use Improvements of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Draft Northern Sydney Sub-Region Planning Strategy, 2004 – 2034

The Business Case for Civic Place outlines comprehensively all the relevant information regarding community consultation, surveys, studies, plans and strategies that have brought about the recognition for the need in the community for this project to be progressed and implemented.

As the major sub-regional commercial centre for the northern region, the Chatswood area of influence covers a total population of approximately 800,000. By 2024 this will be an estimated 900,000.

The site Masterplan and facilities accommodate the projected growth in population over the next 50 years. The development of Chatswood Civic Place is one of the key outcomes underpinning the 2014 Major Infrastructure and Land Use Improvements of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Draft Northern Sydney Sub-Region Planning Strategy, 2004 – 2034.

City of Cities – A Plan for Sydney’s Future (NSW State Government December 2005)

The NSW State Government has developed policies that provide guidance to local government that influence development in the Chatswood City Centre. The Metropolitan Strategy (City of Cities – A Plan for Sydney’s Future) is the primary Plan that sets the direction for the future development of Sydney and the role of Chatswood within the broader City. It recognises that Chatswood is the fourth largest centre in Sydney behind Sydney, North Sydney and Parramatta.

Willoughby City Strategy – together towards tomorrow (Willoughby City Council 2006)

The Willoughby City Strategy provides the context for Chatswood within its immediate area and community. The Strategy Plan gives the community vision and overarching principles for the whole of Willoughby and has been designed to address the needs and aspirations of the whole of the Willoughby City community over the next 15 years. It was developed in conjunction with community and business organisations, stakeholders, government departments and others, seeking out the values of the community and the direction the Willoughby community wants the City to take. The City Strategy identifies common goals and outcomes, and is implemented by Council through its Management Plan and various activities around the City.

The City Strategy supports the regional role of Willoughby in metropolitan Sydney and outlines the business aspirations of the City. The Willoughby City Strategy endorses the development of Civic Place, Council’s support of community organizations and the provision of cultural facilities, library and open space.

Chatswood City Centre Strategic Plan (Willoughby City Council 2004, updated 2006)

The Chatswood City Centre Strategic Plan sets out the vision, objectives and strategies that will guide planning and land use decisions in the Chatswood Town Centre for the next 15 years. The Plan considers Chatswood’s context in Willoughby, and Council’s Strategic Plan for the whole of Willoughby in the northern Sydney sub-region.

Outcomes of the Strategic Plan include a Local Environmental Plan and a Development Control Plan to guide development.

Draft WLEP 2005

Draft WLEP 2005 also applies to the Civic Place site in Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, proposing the rezoning of Civic Place to facilitate and give certainty to the and give certainty to the achievement of the Civic Place proposals that are now proceeding to detailed design stage. Council owns all the land affected by the DLEP. Associated with WLEP 2005 is proposed WDCP 36 that gives the more detailed development and design standards.

Public exhibition of WLEP 2005 and WDCP 36 occurred from 26 October 2005 to 25 November 2005. In conjunction with that exhibition, the public was also asked to consider the reclassification of land that comprises the forecourt of the existing Town Hall at Civic Place from ‘community’ land to ‘operational’ land. A public hearing concerning the land reclassification was held on 23 November, 2005.

At its ordinary meeting of 06 February 2006, Council resolved to re-classify the land at 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood from community land to operational land; and that Draft Willoughby Local Environmental Plan 2005 be adopted and forwarded to the Minister for Planning requesting its gazettal. At the time of this Business Case DRAFT WLEP 2005 is with the Minister.