Woollahra Council’s ‘Draft Edgecliff Commercial Centre Planning and Urban Design Strategy’ is open for comment until Friday 30 July, with popup sessions at Edgecliff Station Thursday 10 June 4pm-6pm and Rushcutters Bay Park Saturday 19 June 10am-12pm, plus an online webinar Friday 25 June 12-1pm. Information: > HERE.  

The strategy emphasises commercial floor space close to the train station and along New South Head Road, with residential use on higher levels and smaller sites amalgamated. Floor space and building heights would be increased – up to 26 storeys (86 metres) near the station.

Positive public domain changes include a new linear park along the south side of New South Head Road in the reservation for road widening. There would also be a new public plaza at the Edgecliff Centre site and a rooftop public open space above the bus interchange, along with green landscaping. The strategy encourages active transport, car sharing and reduced car parking.

I’m concerned about overshadowing impacts on Trumper Park and the residential precinct to the south of the Edgecliff Centre. New development will only require five per cent of new residential floor space to be affordable when much more low cost housing is needed.