This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
HEWORTH Holdings Group has obtained gateway approval for a 25-storey mixed-use residential and commercial development in the Chatswood CBD, while it prepares for a potential legal battle with the New South Wales government over the Balmain Leagues club acquisition.
Situated at 44-52 Anderson Street, the Chatswood development is 400 metres from the suburb’s transport interchange and will include 156 apartments, over 2,600 sqm of additional commercial floor-space and basement parking for 188 vehicles, bicycle racks and end-of-trip facilities.
The development will feature a landscaped setback along Anderson Street, pedestrian through-site link, a new cycle lane, and an extension to the public laneway between O’Brien and Day Street.
Also included will be an affordable housing component, public art and additional infrastructure contributions will also be provided.
Gateway approval from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment arrives after the plans were endorsed by Willoughby Council in May.
“We’re excited that we’ve achieved this significant planning milestone which allows us to progress to a detailed Development Application next year,” Heworth’s head of property, Christopher Walsh said.
Heworth expects to commence construction in 2023, upon planning approvals being granted.
The company has been planning a $400 million rebuild of the Balmain Leagues club in Rozelle that received approval 12 months ago, before Transport NSW filed an acquisition notice for the site, which it would be used to dump dirt during construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel.
As well as a new Tigers Leagues Club, the 28,000 sqm mixed-used development at the corner of Victoria Road and Darling Street would include a new town square, community arts studio, multi-level car park, 167 apartments, commercial space, supermarket and specialty retail.
Walsh told The Daily Telegraph earlier this month that the group would take the state government to court if the compensation offer “doesn’t hit the mark”. Transport NSW wants to lease the site for seven years while it builds the 17.8 kilometre tunnel.
It’s not the first time the government has been involved in a spat with a developer over compulsory acquisition in the suburb. After an ongoing court battle with the New South Wales government, Desane sold its Rozelle site to the state for $78 million plus GST in October of 2018, above the government’s original $18.4 million compensation offer for the site and below the $100 million the ASX-listed group was hoping for.
The site was required as part of the Westconnex M4-M5 Link project that includes an interchange.
