City of Sydney wins approval for visionary plan

The City of Sydney today welcomes the state government’s approval of the City’s new planning framework for Central Sydney, paving the way for the city’s future growth and prosperity.

The Central Sydney planning framework will, for the first time, allow for buildings taller than 300 metres in the right locations to create space for business and investment to grow, while safeguarding public spaces.

This vision for Sydney’s future backed by the most detailed planning review of the city centre in more than four decades will play a critical role in Sydney’s recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Graham Jahn AM, Director City Planning Development and Transport, said the long-awaited approval of the new planning framework will help promote job creation, economic growth and protect inner-city heritage.

“The City of Sydney has conducted extensive consultation with local communities, businesses and landowners in the development of this important planning vision,” Mr Jahn said.

“We have been given the green light to move forward and implement our work to make Sydney a global destination for businesses, visitors and our residents in the wake of the devastating coronavirus pandemic.

“Allowing the city to grow with carefully located towers that respect heritage sites and buildings and ensure sunlight and access for our wonderful public spaces is an important achievement.

“This will build on the city centre’s attractiveness as a great place to work, invest, play and live while protecting our city’s identity for all to enjoy and benefit from.”

The City of Sydney welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to increase the developer contribution levy to 3 per cent. This will help fund the public spaces and facilities that are needed to support the growth of our global city centre, and build on Central Sydney’s attractiveness for businesses, investors, residents and visitors.

The City of Sydney is already working with developers looking to build carefully designed new projects in line with the City’s new framework, such as 2 Chifley Square, 187 Thomas Street and 133 Castlereagh Street, with further projects in the pipeline.