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.

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.

Willoughby Local Environmental Plan 1995 (Amendment No 65)

WLEP No 1995( Amendment 65) which principally amended Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No 5- Chatswood Town Centre was gazetted 12 January 2007 and rezoned the Civic Place site to enable cultural, community, performing arts, open space and commercial development to occur. The amendment also reclassified a component of the site to “operational land” under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993.

Willoughby Development Control Plan

Amendment 65 is supported by the ‘Willoughby Development Control Plan (Section I.17) – ‘Civic Place Development and associated sites’ which aims to:

Facilitate development of the Civic Place site in accordance with the Civic Place Master Plan 2003
Set guidelines for development of other sites that are necessary to support the Civic Place project
Facilitate innovative and sustainable development that enhances the character of the City through design excellence