New South Wales

THE NSW Government has approved a $134 million commercial and residential project in the Chatswood CBD, allowing for the construction of a 34 storey building.

The building will include 4,876 square metres of commercial space, 295 residential apartments, basement parking for 332 vehicles and a landscaped area and pedestrian link under the railway line.

THE NSW Department of Planning has placed on exhibition a draft Good Design Guideline for Medium Density Living and a draft Centres Design Guidelines.

The publications, both non-policy documents, are intended to support decision makers in preparing planning controls, as well as providing a resource for the development industry and the community.

A CONCEPT plan for a $460 million mixed-use development at Shell Cove has been approved by the NSW Government.

The development will surround the previously approved boat harbour and marina and will result in approximately 1,200 dwellings, 15,000 square metres of retail and commercial floor space, including a nine-storey hotel, and 30,000 square metres of business park floor space.

THE NSW Government has granted planning approval for a $105 million upgrade of the Pacific Highway, 70 kilometres north of Grafton, allowing for the construction of 6.4 kilometres of dual lane carriageway.

The Devils Pulpit upgrade project forms part of the $3.6 billion NSW and Commonwealth government highway upgrade project, with 138 kilometres of Pacific Highway upgrade projects having already been assessed and approved under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

PLANS for residential apartments and retail and commercial space at the Tigers' site at Rozelle has been declared a major project and will be assessed by the NSW Government.

The proposal, lodged by Rozelle Village Pty Ltd, includes plans for two towers built over a 2 to 4 storey podium with a total height of 16 and 18 storeys. However, the NSW Government has told the proponent that the height should be reduced to 14 and 16 storeys.

A NEW council-wide local environmental plan (LEP) for Port Macquarie-Hastings has been approved by the NSW Government.

Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the new LEP mainly incorporates existing planning controls with some changes.

Among the changes is the rezoning of 11 hectares of land at Dunbogan to allow for the potential release of around 100 residential lots.

A PROPOSAL by the Cronulla Sharks that includes residential and retail development along Captain Cook Drive and an upgrade to Toyota Park at Woolooware has been accepted for assessment as a major project.

Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the Department of Planning would now assess the $200 million proposal, including its potential environmental and amenity impacts.

NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly yesterday announced the approval of new local environmental plans (LEPs) for Harden and Coolamon Shires.

Mr Kelly said the Coolamon LEP would guide future planning across the council area to support urban expansion and development, while protecting the biodiversity value of the region.

NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly last week announced that planning approval has been granted for the 5.6 kilometre extension of the light rail from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill Interchange.

The extension forms the first stage of Sydney's $500 million light rail expansion plans. The second stage consists of an extension of light rail from Central to Circular Quay through the CBD.

THE City of Sydney last week endorsed a planning proposal for the former Harold Park paceway at Glebe that will provide open space and parkland as well as allow for residential and commercial development.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the proposal follows months of work by the City of Sydney and would leave a legacy in Glebe and provide certainty for the developers and local community.

THE proposed Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest is a step closer, following its declaration as a major project by the NSW Government.

Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the announcement was an "important step in the delivery of this crucial piece of health infrastructure for the northern beaches."

A NUMBER of NSW Councils have endorsed the Local Government and Shires Associations (LGSA) calls for the incoming State Government to abolish Joint Regional Planning Panels (JRPPs) and return planning powers to local councils.

The endorsement came last week at a meeting between Dungog, Gloucester, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Walcha Councils, as part of the NSW Shires Association's annual Divisional Tours.