Grossly inappropriate construction height for this residential area. This development is more suited to a business district near heavy rail or metro, not a quiet suburban area with limited facilities and very limited transport services. I mean VERY limited and VERY infrequent bus services.

This whole area is run down and needs to be regenerated and have more shops and houses. It still looks like a 1990 built area with rundown shops and old houses. my children do not want to stay near me now and will end up moving away because this area is so behind. I will then be forced to go into a facility or move to be with them.

There has been considerable commentary over recent years regarding this development. At times, the debate has become unnecessarily heated, with a number of individuals—some claiming to represent the entire local community, which they clearly do not—pursuing personal agendas opposed to any form of development on the site.

I write as a local resident to encourage a rational and balanced review process that enables the community to move forward, while ensuring an appropriate development is delivered—one that benefits the broader community as a whole.

After many years of opposition (by a vocal minority) to any proposal, a sensible decision was previously reached to approve a mixed-use development comprising retail and approximately three to four levels of residential apartments.

This has since now been superseded by the current proposal for up to 12 /13 levels. It is clear to any dispassionate and reasonable observer that a development of this scale is not appropriate. As outlined in the accompanying impact report, it would dominate the immediate streetscape.

It has been argued that the originally approved three-to-four-level development was not commercially viable, and there may be some merit in that position. However, this should not justify a proposal at the opposite extreme. A more balanced compromise should be pursued—one that supports commercial viability without overwhelming the local environment. While I am not an architect, a development in the range of seven to eight levels would appear to be a far more reasonable outcome, and one that could be broadly acceptable to most stakeholders.

The key point is that development of the site is essential. The community stands to benefit significantly from new local amenities and spaces that encourage engagement and interaction. The site has remained unused for many years, and this prolonged inactivity is having a detrimental impact on the community and the spirit of Castlecrag.

It is often noted that Walter and Marion Burley Griffin’s vision was for a vibrant and thriving community. It is hard to imagine that they would not support a thoughtfully designed, appropriately scaled development that contributes positively to that vision.

It is to be hoped that a common-sense approach prevails, bringing an end to what has at times been an acrimonious local debate, and allowing the community to move forward constructively.

Jeopardising the historical significance of the area.
This site is world heritage quality
Creates environmental impacts.
There’s insufficient infrastructure to cope with the scale of the development
This is not providing affordable and social housing for the demographics that require it

I object to the project - see attachment for detailed response

I support this project as Castlecrag is a regular weekend haunt of mine, and I love the cafe and bar culture. I believe the addition of housing and new retail will only energise the area.

While there are many concerns regarding this development’s fit within our suburb, my primary objection is the untenable impact on traffic and safety.

Castlecrag is a unique peninsula suburb, not a major traffic hub or a high-frequency transit corridor. We have one primary artery for entry and exit. The "funnel" at Edinburgh Road is already at a breaking point; residents currently wait through four light cycles during peak hour. Adding a major supermarket and 150 residential units at the most constricted point of this funnel will likely double or triple these delays.

This is not just a minor inconvenience for students and workers; it is a permanent reduction in the quality of life for every resident. Our local streets are being treated as if they have the capacity of a major arterial bypass, which they do not.

Most critically, this congestion threatens emergency access. Having been a patient at Castlecrag Private Hospital, I know that minutes are the difference between life and death. With my wife being a Doctor who must respond to emergencies, the prospect of medical professionals or ambulances being gridlocked for 20 minutes is a risk we cannot accept.

I am writing in strong support of the proposed mixed-use residential and retail development in the heart of Castlecrag. This project offers our suburb a rare opportunity to evolve responsibly—strengthening local character while preparing for the future needs of our community and city.
Castlecrag is a place deeply cherished for its greenery, village charm, and community spirit. Yet many long-time residents will be aware that our suburb’s next generation often struggles to remain close to home. Limited housing diversity and rising property prices mean that young adults, new families, and key workers are increasingly pushed out of the area—away from their parents, familiar surroundings, and the local schools they grew up in. By introducing modern, well-designed residential options, this proposal helps to keep families connected across generations, sustaining the social fabric that makes Castlecrag unique.
The retail components of the project promise to bring renewed life to our local centre. New shops, cafés, and community spaces will create destinations where residents can meet, shop, and engage locally rather than travelling elsewhere. This infusion of activity will not only bolster existing businesses but also generate new employment opportunities—both during construction and long after, through ongoing retail and service jobs.
Equally important are the proposed amenity improvements: safer pedestrian routes, better landscaping, high-quality architecture, and environmentally sensitive design that aligns with Castlecrag’s heritage values. Together, these features will enhance the public realm and provide a more engaging, accessible space for residents of all ages. Rather than detracting from our “sleepy leafy suburb,” this project has the potential to carefully reinvigorate it—maintaining its peaceful atmosphere while ensuring it remains viable, vibrant, and welcoming for decades to come.
This development represents an investment not just in buildings, but in the future of Castlecrag. It preserves what we love about our community while adapting it to meet the evolving needs of families, local businesses, and future generations.

The proposed development is completely at odds with what was agreed by the Northern Sydney Planning Panel and the residents (with some valid objections re the southern boundary) in late 2024. The new owner initially agreed with this arrangement and then changed tack completely to propose a relatively massive two tower development for Castlecrag village, totally inappropriate for a small heritage-listed suburb designed by Walter Burley Griffin. This site is the only real gateway to the suburb and any development should reflect these heritage values, which this proposal manifestly does not. There are also problems with traffic congestion, ability to enter and leave the suburb via the only convenient access point and overshadowing of many immediate neighbours.
It only takes a short visit to the area to witness the development already completed and underway - in The Postern, Warners Ave and on Eastern Valley Way - and to realise that Castlecrag residents are not anti-development per se but anti-massive, inappropriate development of this village suburb, the character of which will be permanently destroyed if this is allowed to proceed.
I urge you to reject this proposal in its current form.