Key Features of the Development Consent
§ Retail – 15,200sqm Net Useable Floor Area (NUFA) over two levels
§ Residential – 195 apartments
§ Commercial – 1,600sqm NUFA in existing building
§ 676 retail / commercial parking spaces
§ 294 residential / visitor parking spaces
Summary of Redevelopment
§ The development application for the Eastwood Shopping Centre was approved on 3rd February 2009.
§ The DA Approval comprises a mixed-use development incorporating a redeveloped shopping centre over two levels, two basement parking levels, two above ground parking levels, and two residential buildings of six storeys and one building of nine storeys above the podium.
§ The shopping centre component of 15,200sqm is over two levels. A childcare centre of around 800sqm will be provided within the new development.
§ The shopping centre architects are Rice Daubney who have won awards for centres at QVB, Erina Fair and Orion Springfield. The shopping centre will be anchored by a new full line Woolworths Supermarket and contain a broad mix of national brand name tenants and specialty shops.
§ The residential component has been designed with a strong urban design approach to achieve good urban form and high amenity to residents. It complies with the Eastwood Town Centre Master Plan publicly exhibited by Ryde Council in November 2006.
§ Residential component includes a large landscaped podium incorporating Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) and water-sensitive urban design principles.
Development Outcomes
The Development Application proposes the construction of a mixed commercial/retail/residential development on the Eastwood Shopping Centre site. The development has been designed to:
§ Implement the desired future character of the Eastwood Town centre, particularly in relation to the desired built form and increased densities.
§ Provide a significantly improved pedestrian environment that not only provides permeability through the site but also provides safe and direct connections to other parts of the town centre.
§ Consolidate loading facilities with entrances clear of the main pedestrian areas and screened from view.
§ Achieve a highly attractive landscape outcome that will readily integrate with the existing character of the Eastwood Town Centre.
§ Locate residential uses above the podium to ensure greater amenity with regard to noise, privacy and views.
§ Incorporate various uses to provide integrated land use and transport outcomes.
§ Accommodate the proposed retail podium discreetly within the development and avoid the exposure of ‘blank box’ expression that is typical of many other centres.
§ Establish a built form that clearly defines the public domain, sits comfortably within its urban context and protects the amenity of existing adjoining uses.
§ Provide a high level of energy efficiency consistent with principles of ESD.
§ Provide a high level of amenity for future residents in terms of sunlight and daylight access, natural ventilation, visual and acoustic privacy, outlook, provision of private and communal open space, energy efficiency and apartment size, depth and layout.
The proposed development will significantly improve the vitality and amenity of the Eastwood Town Centre, increasing the attractiveness of Eastwood as a place to live, work and shop, and providing a catalyst for increased business activity and private sector development in the town centre.
The key planning legislation, instruments and documents pertaining to the proposal includes the Ryde Planning Scheme Ordinance, Ryde Development Control Plan 2006 and the Draft Eastwood Town Centre Masterplan. As is shown in the Development Application documentation, the proposal generally complies with the development standards and controls within the relevant legislation, instruments and documentation.
The only exception to the above is the proposed variation to the maximum height development standard. A SEPP 1 objection relating to this development standard has been lodged as part of the development application and the objection demonstrates that the height variation provides a better built form outcome and does not have any adverse impacts on neighbouring properties.
The proposal will not detrimentally impact on the surrounding locality in regard to accessibility, visual impact and views, acoustic impacts, solar, reflectivity and economic impacts. Further, the proposal includes a number of key initiatives in regards to parking and servicing, public transport, stormwater management, energy efficiency, safety and security to ensure that it will integrate into the streetscape and provide beneficial impacts on surrounding properties, in particular the existing Eastwood Town Centre.
