Randwick Local Planning Panel (Electronic) - 9 Nov 2026

Topics

• Randwick panel approves 31-apartment building at 21 Cook Street after design changes
  A six-storey, 31-apartment development has been unanimously approved after a prior deferral, with privacy, setback, balcony and landscaping changes required.
  Residents will see a significant change to the Cook Street site, including demolition, basement excavation, construction activity and new housing.
• Additional design and landscaping conditions imposed
  Conditions require upper-level side windows to be amended to protect privacy, the Level 5 front setback to align with lower levels, Level 4 and 5 balcony planter boxes to be removed, habitable rooms to provide at least 2.7 metres floor-to-ceiling height, and revised plans to be approved before the Construction Certificate. A 12-month landscaping establishment and maintenance plan is also required before the Occupation Certificate.
  These requirements address privacy, streetscape consistency, internal amenity and the establishment of landscaping.
• Development application approved at 21 Cook Street
  Consent was granted for demolition of existing buildings and trees, and construction of a six-storey residential flat building containing 31 apartments, two basement levels and 30 car parking spaces, subject to amended conditions.
  The approval will change the built form, housing supply, construction activity, parking arrangements and landscaping at 21 Cook Street.

Decisions

• Development application approved at 21 Cook Street
  Consent was granted for demolition of existing buildings and trees, and construction of a six-storey residential flat building containing 31 apartments, two basement levels and 30 car parking spaces, subject to amended conditions.
  The approval will change the built form, housing supply, construction activity, parking arrangements and landscaping at 21 Cook Street.
• Height development standard variation accepted
  The Panel found that strict compliance with the building-height standard in Clause 4.3 of the Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012 was unreasonable and unnecessary and that sufficient environmental planning grounds justified the variation.
  The approved building can proceed with a variation from the applicable height control.
• Additional design and landscaping conditions imposed
  Conditions require upper-level side windows to be amended to protect privacy, the Level 5 front setback to align with lower levels, Level 4 and 5 balcony planter boxes to be removed, habitable rooms to provide at least 2.7 metres floor-to-ceiling height, and revised plans to be approved before the Construction Certificate. A 12-month landscaping establishment and maintenance plan is also required before the Occupation Certificate.
  These requirements address privacy, streetscape consistency, internal amenity and the establishment of landscaping.

Discussion

• Housing and local planning controls
  The Panel considered the proposal consistent with the Housing SEPP 2021 and the objectives of the R3 zone, including providing housing while protecting residential amenity and local character.
  The decision adds 31 dwellings and confirms how the Panel applied current housing and zoning objectives to the site.
• Unanimous determination after deferral
  The application had been deferred at the Panel's 6 November 2026 meeting for additional information and amended plans. It was approved unanimously at the electronic meeting on 9 November.
  The approval followed further assessment and revisions rather than being determined on the original material alone.

Impacts

• A six-storey apartment building with 31 dwellings is approved for 21 Cook Street, Randwick.
• Construction will involve demolition, tree removal, basement excavation and associated building and landscaping works.
• The approved design includes 30 basement car parking spaces.
• Privacy, building alignment, room height and landscaping requirements must be addressed before later certification and occupation stages.

Places

• 21 Cook Street, Randwick (development site)
  Site of the approved residential flat building, demolition, tree removal, basement parking and landscaping works.
• Randwick (suburb)
  Locality affected by the approved development and its construction and streetscape impacts.

Next

• Applicant must submit revised architectural plans incorporating the Panel's amendments for approval by the Accredited Certifier.
  Before the Construction Certificate is issued.
• A Landscape Maintenance Plan must be prepared and submitted to the Principal Certifier, with approved landscaping maintained and failed plantings replaced.
  Plan required before the Occupation Certificate; maintenance required for at least 12 months after occupation.

Extract

This is of the Minutes of the Randwick Local Planning Panel (Electronic) meeting held on 9 November 2026 MINUTES OF RANDWICK LOCAL PLANNING PANEL (ELECTRONIC) MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2026 Present: Chairperson: Sue Francis Expert Members: Sue Weatherley, Kim Burrell Community Representatives: Michael Berg Council Officers present: Coordinator Major Assessments Mr F Macri Senior Environmental Planning Officer Mr L Coorey Declarations of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests A) Nil. The Panel deliberated and voted on each matter via an electronic meeting. The resolutions, reasons and voting outcomes for each item on the agenda are detailed below: Development Application Reports D75/...