22 July 2024
By Hannah Wilcox
Crows Nest is set to undergo major rezoning to make space for more jobs, homes and amenities as a part of the State Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Accelerated Precincts project.
Earmarked for growth and renewal in the preexisting St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan, the area will see the creation of 3255 new homes situated within St Leonards Centre and along Pacific Highway to the Crows Nest Metro Station.
The rezoning proposal includes a mandatory requirement of 10 to 15 percent of the properties to be affordable housing options – with 325 to 488 homes to be built across six sites near Royal North Shore Hospital.
These will be held in perpetuity and managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.
Up to 2600 new jobs are also set to be created.
“Housing is the largest single cost of living issue facing the people of NSW, which is why we’ve been relentless in pursuing planning reform from day one,” Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said.
“Our reforms have been progressive and extensive. The TOD Accelerated Precincts are part of a suite of interrelated planning reforms from the NSW Government to build better homes and better communities.”
He added: These additional three precincts will help to deliver more well-located homes, close to transport and amenities, that are also close to new job opportunities as each of the rezonings enable a mix of residential and non-residential land uses, placing good homes and jobs at their core.”
“These precincts provide more homes for all stages of life, whether people are renting, downsizing, or jumping on the property ladder for the first time.”
It is a part of the state government’s commitment to rebalancing housing growth around transport infrastructure, combatting the housing crisis by providing opportunities for the next generation of people.
A report by the NSW Productivity and Equality Commissioner found Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained – a net loss of 35,000 young people – between 2016 and 2021.
Special Entertainment Precincts will be created across the TOD Accelerated Precincts, consisting of Crows Nest, Bankstown and Homebush, to create more vibrant communities.
Live entertainment, extended trading hours for live music venues and favourable noise controls will be introduced in hopes of renewing and reviving a lot of the area’s nightlife.
The three spots will share an allocated $520 million in investment community infrastructure such as critical road upgrades, active transport links and good quality open spaces.
Crows Nest’s state-led rezoning proposal is open for exhibition to the public until 5pm, August 16 on the NSW government website.
For more information and a chance to have your say, tune in to a webinar at 5.30pm on July 30 or turn up to a community in-person session at Northside Conference Centre on August 1 or 6, 4pm to 7pm.