Documents and Resources

This page brings together the key official documents, background material, and community resources relevant to the Chatswood Dive Site proposal. It is intended to help residents and other interested community members understand what is being proposed, review the source material, and make informed submissions.

Where possible, we have included direct links to official documents and relevant public information. This page should be read alongside the official NSW Planning Portal material.

Official planning links

Key official documents

The documents below are the main reports and materials we have reviewed in relation to the current proposal.

Document What it is Why it matters Link
Environmental Impact Statement Main planning and environmental justification report for the proposal Sets out the proposal, planning controls sought, and the proponent’s overall case View document
Engagement Outcomes Report Community and stakeholder engagement report Shows how consultation was conducted and how feedback has been described View document
Visual Impact Assessment Assessment of visual impacts of the Stage 1 building Sets out the proponent’s case on visual prominence and streetscape impact View document
Social Impact Assessment Assessment of social impacts Explains how the proposal is said to affect community life, services and local amenity View document
Landcom Chatswood Project Page Community-facing project summary Useful for comparing the public narrative with the formal planning proposal View document

Key planning issues

The most important issues, in our view, include the following:

  • Reduction in non-residential floor space from 17% to 2%
    This is an approximately 88% reduction and goes to the heart of whether the site remains genuinely mixed-use.
  • Only about 314 square metres of retail / commercial floor space proposed for Stage 1
    For a 23-storey development, this appears very limited and suggests token activation rather than a meaningful mixed-use outcome.
  • Removal of the 10% affordable housing requirement
    This is difficult to reconcile with the public language around housing need and broader public benefit.
  • Increased height and density
    The proposal seeks significant uplift while reducing some of the planning controls that many residents would reasonably expect to support a balanced outcome.
  • Stage 1 versus Stage 2
    The community should not be asked to accept a largely residential outcome now based on vague assurances that later stages will restore the balance.

Useful background material

The following public material helps provide broader context about the site and how its role has changed over time.

Simple explanation of key terms

  • Build-to-rent
    Housing designed to be retained and managed as rental accommodation, rather than sold apartment by apartment.
  • Mixed-use
    A development that includes both housing and non-residential uses such as shops, services, workplaces or other active uses.
  • Non-residential floor space
    The part of a development that is not housing. This could include a medical centre, mini supermarket, pharmacy, café, workspace or other useful local service.
  • Floor Space Ratio
    A planning control that regulates how much total floor area can be built relative to the size of the land.
  • Gross Floor Area
    The total floor area of a building used for planning purposes.
  • State Significant Development
    A planning pathway used by the NSW Government for major projects that are assessed by the State rather than by local council.

Suggested next steps

  • Read the official documents, especially the Environmental Impact Statement and the SSD notice.
  • Use the official submission portal to lodge your views.
  • Visit the Take Action page for contact details and email templates.
  • Share this information with neighbours and other interested community members.

If you notice any broken links or have additional relevant public documents that should be included on this page, please get in touch through the website contact details.

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