New parks and public spaces, better pedestrian access and more employment space are set to enhance the heart of Crows Nest and St Leonards, with the NSW Government today releasing the final 2036 Plan.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the plan will guide the delivery of a greener, better connected and vibrant Crows Nest and St Leonards.
“The community told us they wanted more green space that enhanced local neighbourhoods, and a plan that provided certainty on what future development will look like and where it will be,” Mr Stokes said.
“We have listened, with significant changes made to the final plan to ensure St Leonards and Crows Nest will be a greener, thriving employment hub with better transport and pedestrian connections for local residents, workers and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.”
Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said the plan includes the forward funding from the NSW Government for the delivery of a new park in partnership with North Sydney Council. The existing carpark on Holtermann Street will be moved underground to make way for a vibrant green core in the centre of Crows Nest.
“We have secured a massive $78 million for new and improved public spaces across St Leonards and Crows Nest, including the new ‘Metro Park’ on Holtermann Street for our community that will be delivered ahead of Metro development,” Ms Wilson said.
“From the village feel of Willoughby Rd and Crows Nest, to the bustling commercial centre around St Leonards, we wanted to reflect the community’s call for a final plan that protected and enhanced the unique character of our local area and delivered the community infrastructure that makes for great places to live – this plan delivers that and more.”
Key changes to the final plan following community consultation, include:
- A 10 per cent reduction in new dwellings;
- More than $78 million secured from developer contributions for new parks and public spaces (an increase of $20 million);
- Planting of more than 2,000 new trees;
- Doubling the employment space, with an extra 119,979sqm of commercial floor space to support more than 16,500 jobs; and
- $20 million secured from developer contributions for new education facilities.
North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson welcomed the plan and said more green space would help to maintain the village feel that we all love.
“I would like to thank the Minister Rob Stokes, local member for North Shore Felicity Wilson and the Department for including a new park at Holtermann Street in the plans. With the support of the State, design of the park will commence at the beginning of 2021, at the same time Council commences construction of the new Hume Street Plaza,” Ms Gibson said.
The final plan will see more than $116 million captured in Special Infrastructure Contributions from developers to support the delivery of critical infrastructure such as road upgrades, education facilities and active transport links across St Leonards and Crows Nest.
The plan will also be supported with new transport links, with the NSW Government also approving the Crows Nest Metro rezoning. The community will get to have its say on the Crows Nest Metro State significant concept development application when it is re-exhibited in mid-September.
