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.

I strongly object to the proposed project at 100 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag.
The proposed development is enormous in scale compared the the surrounding areas. It is completely out of character. The proposed development dwarfs and overshadows many properties adjacent to it and beyond. The proposed number of units will have a devastating effect on the flow of traffic in and out of the suburb. It also makes a complete mockery of the very design philosophy of Walter Burley Griffin, who established the suburb.
This area is not in a transport oriented development zone. We do not have a metro or train service.
The site currently has a detailed and well considered approved design for a 4-5 storey development (38 units above a supermarket). This design had the full backing of the local community and was only approved by the Northern Sydney Planning Panel just before the site was sold to Conquest. Greed seems to be the only motivation in the current SSD proposal.
I strongly object.

Whilst I supported the previously approved design of 3 storeys which was in keeping with the area surrounding it, this new proposal is just so ridiculous and completely wrong. How can you approve an increase to 2 towers up to 12 storeys high and 14 at the back with no other buildings around the area anything like this proposal. The project is not near a city centre or transport link which is when these projects would go through as a State Significant Development which this clearly is not!! It will just look totally wrong in this location. We absolutely need a development here but this is definitely not it. The scale is excessive, it will have a serious impact on the Griffin heritage area, it raises major traffic and infrastructure concerns. This is not near a TOD precinct or a train line, and there is nothing of comparable scale in the surrounding area. Willoughby council voted to submit opposal also which should also taken into consideration. DO NOT APPROVE THIS DEVELOPMENT!!

Conquest is proposing a significantly oversized and grossly inappropriate development – almost 10 storeys higher than what was previously approved.



This site has somehow gone from a 3-storey plan to two towers reaching an imposing and out-of-context possible 12 storeys — with 14 at the back — which would totally overwhelm and overshadow much of our neighbourhood.

While our experts are critically assessing the application, here’s what we know about their application so far:

– Two luxury towers up to 12 storeys high and 14 at the back

– 150 apartments, including just 10 “affordable” units

– No meaningful consideration of heritage, environmental impact, or the reality of a “one-lane-in, one-lane-out”

I am all for this development to go ahead but not on the scale that is proposed. I personally think local residents pushed back too hard when the original developer wanted 5 stories. I would be comfortable with this development being 5-6 stories as opposed to the 3-4 orignally approved by council but do think the 12-14 is very much out of character to the area. It also isnt a TOD area and only has 1 lane into and out of the suburb. The main thing is we need to get this built quickly - we have had no centre to this suburb for years and we are in desperate need of the shopping centre, restaurants etc. I think we can find a balance here and give the developer 5-6 stories and we all move on as a compromise. I do think the suburb should look at the traffic lights and widening another lane out of the suburb to help with traffic flow or have an exit ramp from below the development to eastern valley way. There is obviously a long history of Walter Burley Griffin in the suburb - but i think as long as you keep it at 5-6 stories and a nice design that has been approved the suburb will be ok. Lets please just move this along and get the building built! Thanks

The proposal scale is excessive, it will have a serious impact on the Griffin heritage area, it raises major traffic and infrastructure concerns, and it is entirely out of character for its location.
It is not near a TOD precinct or a train line, and there is nothing of comparable scale in the surrounding area.

I strongly object to the size, scale and nature of this proposal.
Sydney is defined by different suburbs each with their unique style, charm and history. We must not make short sighted political decisions that will blur the lines between these and render all of Sydney a development mess. Please don't undervalue the importance of the built environment for personal wellbeing, architectural heritage and the overall reputation of Sydney as a marvelous place to live.
Designed by Walter Burleigh Griffin and Marion Mahoney, Castlecrag has a special place in Sydney's architectural history. This development is in no way in keeping with it. Adjacent, already built-up areas of St Leonards and Chatswood should be reserved for this type of charmless, multi level apartment development. They are much better served by public transport and major arterial links.
Please leave historic Castlecrag out of reach for crummy developers with no appreciation of history or the importance of the built environment.
thank you and best wishes, Kristi Kimberley Holden

Sydney needs more housing including affordable housing. More diverse housing is needed in Castlecrag. The proposal enhances convenience as it includes a good variety of shops.

We desperately need more housing, including affordable housing. More diverse housing is needed in the area. The proposal includes a very good mix of shops which creates convenience.