Extraordinary Strategic & Corporate Committee - 17 August 2026

Topics

• Woollahra backs targeted alternative to State rezoning plan for Edgecliff and Woollahra
  The Committee has recommended a locally designed alternative to the proposed State-led rezoning, seeking targeted housing growth while addressing traffic, infrastructure, heritage and neighbourhood character.
  The recommendation could shape the future scale and form of development in two high-density areas, but it still requires Council consideration and does not itself approve new development.
• Edgecliff and Double Bay planning proposals remain with the State government
  Woollahra says two centre planning proposals seeking a combined 915 additional dwellings are still awaiting assessment by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
  The proposals could add housing capacity in major local centres, while their pending status leaves the timing and final development controls unresolved.

Decisions

• Alternate approach to State-led rezoning supported
  The Committee recommended that Council note an alternate approach responding to the proposed State-led rezoning of parts of Edgecliff and Woollahra. The approach includes targeted uplift, consideration of local character and topography, traffic analysis, infrastructure planning, value capture for community infrastructure, tree-canopy retention and protection of key public views.
  The approach could influence future building heights, housing growth, traffic, infrastructure contributions, heritage outcomes and neighbourhood character in Edgecliff and Woollahra. The recommendation still required Council consideration.
• Existing housing targets and planning proposals noted
  The Committee noted that Council has met every State Government housing target since 2016, is ahead of its previously applied 2026 and 2036 targets, has not received an updated target beyond 2036, and has planning proposals awaiting assessment by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
  The information forms part of Council’s case for a locally targeted rezoning approach rather than relying solely on the proposed State-led process.

Discussion

• Planning and housing growth in Edgecliff and Woollahra
  The Committee supported a planning position that seeks growth in locations and forms considered appropriate to local context, amenity, infrastructure capacity and market conditions. It cited proposed dwelling uplifts of 615 at the Edgecliff Centre and 300 at the Double Bay Centre.
  Future development capacity and the scale and design of new housing in the affected centres may change, subject to planning processes and further Council or State Government decisions.
• Infrastructure, traffic, heritage and tree canopy safeguards
  The alternate approach includes traffic analysis, social and physical infrastructure planning, value capture to help fund infrastructure, heritage protection, retention of significant tree canopy and protection of key public-domain views.
  These measures are intended to manage the local impacts of additional development and protect valued environmental, heritage and public-realm features.

Impacts

• Potential future changes to housing capacity, building form and development intensity in Edgecliff, Woollahra and the Double Bay Centre.
• Further consideration of traffic, roads, social infrastructure, heritage, tree canopy and public views as part of planning for growth.
• No immediate development approval, rate change, service change or funding allocation was recorded in the supplied material.

Places

• Edgecliff (suburb and planning area)
  Subject to the proposed State-led rezoning and Council’s alternate approach; the Edgecliff Centre planning proposal identified a potential uplift of 615 dwellings.
• Woollahra (suburb and planning area)
  Subject to the proposed State-led rezoning and Council’s alternate approach.
• Double Bay Centre (town centre and planning area)
  The Double Bay Centre Planning and Design Strategy identified a potential uplift of 300 dwellings.

Next

• Council to consider the Committee’s recommendation on the alternate approach to the State-led rezoning.
  Not specified in the supplied material; the minutes were confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 24 August 2026.
• The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to continue considering the Edgecliff Centre and Double Bay Centre planning proposals.
  No determination date was provided.

Extract

Extraordinary Strategic & Corporate Committee Monday, 17 August 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Extraordinary Strategic & Corporate Committee Agenda 17 August 2026 Extraordinary Strategic & Corporate Committee Minutes Monday, 17 August 2026 Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio Councillors:Sean Carmichael (Deputy Chair) (left the meeting at 6.40pm at the conclusion of Item 5 - Disclosures of Interest) Alexander Andruska James Ardouin (joined meeting at 7:15pm during Item 9.1) Mary-Lou Jarvis Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price Lucinda Regan Matthew Robertson (via Zoom, joined meeting at 6:40pm during Item 5, left meetin...