At its meeting on 28 April 2025, Willoughby City Council passed a resolution calling for greater public benefit in the proposed redevelopment of Lot 4B Herbert St, St Leonards, and resolved to raise these concerns formally at the next Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) meeting.
Council has expressed strong concern that current plans for the site, one of the last significant publicly owned parcels of land in the St Leonards area falls short in delivering outcomes that reflect the needs and expectations of the broader community.
The recent rezoning of Lot 4B has significantly increased its development potential, allowing for a 62-storey mixed-use building with 448 apartments. Given this major uplift, Council believes the site should return greater public benefit to the community beyond the current commitment of 15% affordable housing.
"Willoughby Council recognises the strategic importance of Lot 4B and the opportunity it presents to deliver real, lasting public benefit," said Mayor Taylor.
"We are committed to ensuring this land is not just seen through a commercial lens, but as a community asset that must provide value in the form of open space, affordable housing, public infrastructure, and thoughtful urban design."
In particular, Council has emphasised the need to retain clinical health services on the site to meet the growing demand for healthcare driven by projected population increases across the region. This is essential to ensuring that the redevelopment continues to serve the public interest by supporting regional health infrastructure. Council also notes that, given the major uplift in development potential, the current commitment of only 15% affordable housing (despite an election commitment to deliver 30% social and affordable housing on surplus government land near mass transit) falls short of community expectations.
The Council's resolution directs that its concerns be tabled at NSROC, where it intends to seek the support of neighbouring councils in advocating for a more balanced and publicly beneficial outcome for the site.
Willoughby City Council warmly acknowledges and thanks the Mayors of North Sydney, Lane Cove, Mosman, and Ku-Ring-Gai Councils for supporting this position and joining the call for a stronger public benefit focus in the redevelopment of Lot 4B.
Willoughby City Council continues to support development that aligns with the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan, but emphasises that planning decisions involving public land must prioritise community benefit, sustainability, and long-term liveability.
Council will keep the community informed as it continues to pursue a better outcome for Lot 4B through regional collaboration and advocacy.
