News worth sharing.

The NSW Government has placed the draft Edgecliff–Woollahra Precinct State-led Rezoning Proposal on public exhibition from 8 September to 7 October 2026.

The proposal seeks to amend the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 (WLEP) to facilitate approximately 9,400 new dwellings around Edgecliff Station and the future Woollahra Station.

Key Planning Changes:

• New precinct-specific controls through amendments to the WLEP 2014.
• Proposed SSD pathway for residential development with an EDC over $60 million in this precinct.
• Existing Woollahra DCP controls proposed to be replaced by the Edgecliff–Woollahra Design Guide.
• The precinct is divided into eight Character Areas, with site-specific controls for height, FSR, building envelopes, affordable housing, land dedication and non-residential floor space.

Key Statutory Controls:

• Height: 19.8m–120m, generally 6–34 storeys.
• FSR: 1.3:1–9:1, with most sites between 2:1 and 4:1.
• Minimum lot size: 900m² for RFBs in the R4 zone.
• Affordable housing: Generally 3%, increasing to 4–6% around Woollahra and Edgecliff Stations and 15% on two Edgecliff sites.
• Non-residential FSR, active frontage and dwelling mix controls for selected sites.

Other changes include allowing small-scale non-residential uses in the R4 zone, encouraging site amalgamation, requiring land dedication on selected sites and facilitating adaptive reuse of certain heritage items.

Relationship with the Housing SEPP:

The in-fill affordable housing bonus will no longer apply within the precinct. LMR provisions will continue until the rezoning takes effect and may remain applicable to sites that do not receive an uplift.

The Sydney Plan has recently been released by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The Plan establishes a new 20-year strategic framework for the Sydney Region, which ranges from the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Wollondilly towards the west, to the Northern Beaches, Sydney CBD and surrounds, and Sutherland towards the east. It aims to integrate housing, employment, infrastructure, open space and environmental priorities within a single plan, and replaces the former Greater Sydney Region Plan (2018) and associated district plans.

Housing delivery is central to the Plan - with the population projected to grow from 5.3 million to 6.6 million by 2046 in the Sydney Region, it identifies the need for at least 800,000 additional homes and 950,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.

A key focus is where this growth will occur. Under the National Housing Accord's five-year housing targets, just under half of Sydney’s new homes are planned for Eastern Sydney Local Government Areas, with growth focused in established, well-connected areas close to jobs, transport, infrastructure and services.

Western Sydney will accommodate the largest growth in jobs across Sydney, with employment projected to increase by 59%, from approximately 475,000 jobs in 2026 to 755,000 by 2046. This growth will be supported by Western Sydney International Airport, the Aerotropolis and expanding employment precincts.

The Plan also places greater responsibility on local Councils to facilitate housing delivery. Councils will be required to maintain and regularly update local planning strategies that demonstrate how long-term housing capacity will be achieved, with these outcomes reflected in Local Environmental Plans and Development Control Plans through appropriate zoning, land-use permissibility and development controls.

Whether its navigating planning approvals or taking on the City2surf from Sydney CBD to Bondi, the GSA Planning team is always up for a challenge. Our team ran on Sunday to raise funds in support of Cancer Council NSW.

One of the highlights for the team was seeing a number of completed developments that GSA have been involved in along the course, including MONA, Ruby House, Ray White Double Bay, Piper, and Mark Moran Vaucluse.

A fantastic effort from everyone who took part - we're already looking forward to doing it all again next year!

The State Government has announced plans for a new train station at Woollahra, alongside a state-led rezoning around Woollahra and Edgecliff stations.

The initiative represents a significant transit-oriented development opportunity, supporting the delivery of up to 10,000 new homes, including affordable housing, within walking distance of high-frequency public transport. The proposed rezoning includes an approximate 400 metre radius from Edgecliff Station and a 900 metre radius from the new Woollahra Station. The station will provide an eight-minute connection to the Sydney CBD and allow for the delivery of homes close to jobs, public transport, green space and essential services.

The rezoning aims to rebalance housing delivery across Sydney and support the Government’s housing targets. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure expects to exhibit the rezoning in late 2026, and with Transport for NSW expected to begin construction of the station in 2027, with completion anticipated in 2029.

We’re pleased to announce the promotion of two valued members of GSA Planning.

Congratulations to Elliott Doumanis on his promotion to Associate Director and Shiv Prasad on her promotion to Principal Planner.

These promotions recognise their exceptional commitment, professionalism and valuable contributions to GSA Planning and our clients.

We are proud to celebrate this milestone and wish them every success in their new roles!

Waverley Council has recently placed a new master plan for Bondi Junction on public exhibition, titled ‘Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan 2026’.

The proposed master plan aims to transform Bondi Junction from a transport interchange and shopping destination into the “civic and cultural heart of Sydney's East”, an 18-hour destination, a world-class interchange. It is the first comprehensive master plan for Bondi Junction in over two decades.

Key initiatives include the revitalisation of Oxford Street Mall through late-night economy activation, laneway activation, rooftop venues, and enhanced public spaces.

The proposed Master Plan includes scope for approximately 3,000 additional dwellings, including 10% affordable housing, along with approximately 52,000sqm of retail, commercial and community floor space across five key precincts within Bondi Junction.

The Master Plan is on public exhibition until 24 June 2026 for community feedback before it goes to Council for formal endorsement in July. Council has indicated that, once adopted, it could be used as a strategic benchmark when assessing future Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) expressions of interest in the area.

GSA looks forward to following the progression of the Master Plan!

Today, the GSA planning team hosted Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, raising funds and awareness for Cancer Council Australia!

This initiative supports vital cancer research, prevention programs, and support services for those affected by Cancer.

Thank you to everyone who donated, baked, and joined us in helping make a difference.

A great day for an even greater cause.

To donate, kindly head to: https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/s/46450/156407

Following the 12-month review of the Housing Delivery Authority, the NSW Government has updated the HDA Expression of Interest (EOI) criteria, tightening eligibility requirements for projects seeking access to the pathway and reducing the number of projects that will be included as part of this pathway.Significantly, the revised criteria apply not only to new EOIs, but also to proposals already submitted and awaiting determination.

Key changes include:

• Concurrent rezonings must now deliver affordable housing above existing Council or State requirements, with the contribution proportionate to the uplift sought. Significant uplift may require affordable housing to be provided in perpetuity.• Proposals must align with exhibited or completed State-led rezonings and associated master plans. Sites within active, non-exhibited State-led rezonings are excluded, such as the Edgecliff Woollahra Precinct.

• Regionally significant industrial land is no longer eligible.

• Sites subject to dwelling caps, including precincts such as Rhodes, are excluded.

• Certain land within the Sydney CBD, Parramatta and North Sydney commercial centres are excluded from the pathway.

GSA Planning welcomes the establishment of the Development Coordination Authority (DCA), a significant reform to the State’s development assessment framework.

From July 2026, the DCA will centralise state agency advice within the development application process. Advice that is currently managed across 22 government agencies with a single point of contact for both pre-DA and post-DA matters.Key

Changes include:

• A consolidated framework for statutory referrals, combining 800+ concurrence and consultation triggers across 175 planning instruments

• Early confirmation of whether state agency input is required, overseen by the DCA

• A consistent 28-day response timeframe for statutory advice• A simplified and fairer fee structure

The reform aims to strengthen the referral system by reducing delays, improving consistency in agency advice, and streamlining coordination between councils and state agencies to deliver a more efficient development assessment system.

We look forward to seeing how its implementation shapes project delivery and planning outcomes across NSW!

Welcoming our two new Assistant Planners to the team, Atalia Joseph and Jack Lonnon! Both are third year students at UNSW and are joining us full-time for their practice year.

We’re so excited to have them join us through our ongoing partnership with UNSW, a collaboration we’re genuinely proud of and committed to growing. Investing in emerging talent and supporting the next generation of industry leaders is something we care deeply about, and we can’t wait to help them grow their practical skills and see the impact they’ll make.

Here’s to fresh perspectives, big ideas, and an exciting year ahead!

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We are proud to share that we have moved into our brand new office at 467 Oxford Street, Paddington. As we continue to grow and evolve, we now have a fresh space for new ideas, collaboration, and what’s next.

It’s always exciting to go on site of our new GSA office construction in Paddington. Our contemporary rear extension to the existing terrace is coming together beautifully and we can’t wait to move in.

We’d like to congratulate Sam from our office for his recent graduation from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Planning.

George was recently interviewed by long term client and friend, Bruce Stafford, as part of his Coffee Club Series. In the episode, George shared pivotal moments that shaped his career, along with some of the best advice he’s received from mentors along the way.

GSA Planning’s Biggest Morning Tea was held this morning to raise funds for the Cancer Council. A big thanks to our office manager, Michelle, for organising the event and for everyone who contributed. We have raised over $5,000 so far which will go towards vital cancer research, support services, prevention programs and advocacy.

Congratulations to our team member, Fiona, on her recent graduation from UNSW with a Bachelor of City Planning (Honours).

Our Managing Director, George Karavanas was recently interviewed by the ABC in relation to major planning changes under SEPP (Housing) 2021. The interview was featured in an ABC article and on last night’s 7:30 report, providing valuable insights on the recent implementation of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy (LMR).

We were delighted to see amazing progress being made on our new HQ on Oxford Street today.

We’re proud to share that one of our team members, Bita Gharagozloo, was the lead editor for this September issue of New Planner Journal titled ‘Planning for the renewable energy transformation’. She also published an article on ‘The intersection of renewable energy with cultural-heritage values’!

Congratulations once again!

GSA Planning have been busy working on our own DA and CC for our new office premises. Located a short stroll from our current office in Paddington, we can’t wait to welcome you to our new premises upon completion of construction next year. From our Managing Director: ‘Our new GSA Planning premises on Oxford Street, Paddington under construction. Hoarding beautifully embellished with George Raftopoulos artwork “Ulysses Gaze 2024”. Το βλέμμα του Οδυσσέα. Our Odyssey has landed us in the heart of the eastern suburbs in beautiful Paddington.’ Here’s to the next chapter at GSA Planning.

GSA Planning provided a sponsorship to Cherrybrook Athletics. We value the opportunities provided to the community by Cherrybrook Athletics and are proud to support this club.

So happy to congratulate Liberty and Abby from our team for their recent graduation from Macquarie University with Bachelors of Planning.

GSA Planning are celebrating the magic of Mardi Gras this month. Wishing all members of the LGBT+ community and allies a happy Mardi Gras. As always, our team embraces diversity and is proud together.

Our Managing Director George Karavanas recently visited some young members of the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club to check out their new boards. Proudly sponsored by GSA.