Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development precinct
The NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program focuses on delivering more housing near metro and rail stations. This is so more people can live close to transport, jobs and services.
There are two parts to the program:
- TOD Accelerated Precincts: Crows Nest is one of eight precincts in the metropolitan area that have been subject to a State-led design and rezoning process.
- Amending State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) (TOD SEPP): This policy will enable higher-density housing within 400m of 37 other station precincts. These changes do not apply to the North Sydney local government area (LGA).
Crows Nest State-led rezoning
On 27 November 2024, the NSW Government rezoned land around the Crows Nest TOD precinct. The State-led rezoning provides:
- capacity for 5,900 new homes to be built (in addition to the 3,200 already rezoned under the previous St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan)
- capacity for approximately 2,500 new jobs
- a minimum of 3% affordable housing in all new residential development and between 5% and 18% for key sites
- floor space ratios (FSRs) of up to 20:1
- a range of building heights from 6 up to 62 storeys across the precinct
Permissible building heights in the Crows Nest TOD precinct. Source: Crows Nest TOD Precinct Urban Design Report, p. 92
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Tall, mixed-use and commercial towers will be concentrated along the Pacific Highway from St Leonards Station through to the Five Ways intersection at Crows Nest. A 62-storey tower will be located on the Royal North Shore Hospital site in the Willoughby LGA. 18-storey towers are now permissible along Clarke Street in front of Hume Street Park in Crows Nest Village.
The Crows Nest TOD precinct extends west to Lithgow Street, River Road and Gillies Street in Wollstonecraft. This area will support a mix of 6 to 16-storey apartment buildings.
A potential new open space has been identified for the corner of Christie and Oxley Streets.
Council submissions
You can read Council’s submission in response to the original rezoning proposal, which was exhibited in July and August 2024.
You can also read Council's previous correspondence with the Department of Planning regarding funding of essential community infrastructure in the TOD precinct and the Department's response.
After the TOD rezoning came into effect, Council staff prepared a report discussing the key issues and implications, as well as post-exhibition changes, for North Sydney Council.
More information
For more information, please see the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's webpage about the Crows Nest TOD.
You can also watch Council's recorded information session about the Crows Nest TOD.