Previously opposed Chatswood high rise development on exhibition again, with additional affordable housing

“The Angophora” development has been deemed a state significant development to be determined by the NSW Planning Department.

Huw Bradshaw
June 11, 2025

A Chatswood development that previously received more than 25 objections from local residents is once again back on exhibition.

“The Angophora”, a mixed use development, will consist of two high rises, 23 and 33 storeys each, on top of a newly developed commercial area.

Plans submitted for exhibition show that a podium structure will be built on the ground floor, hosting multiple commercial businesses, including a Harris Farm, restaurant, cafe, and gym.

The two high-rise residential buildings will be constructed on top of this podium.

What is the “Swiss cheese effect”, and why is Ku-ring-gai Council trying to stop it?

From Roseville to Gordon, another 24,000 dwellings are required in the next 15 years. But where will they go?

Plans for the development have been underway for years. In 2022, the project’s planning consultant, Mecone, applied to NSW Planning to increase the maximum height of developments in the area from 12m to 90m, and to reduce the required amount of affordable housing from ten to four percent. The request was not supported by Willoughby City Council.

An earlier concept development application submitted to Willoughby City Council in 2023 also received numerous objections from local residents — including one which dubbed it the “Nightmare on Anderson Street” — and was ultimately withdrawn in 2024.

Do you find this billboard distracting?

Chatswood locals are concerned this digital billboard could prove a distraction for motorists.

This new development application, however, is not under the jurisdiction of Willoughby council.

Rather, it has been lodged through – and will be deliberated by – the NSW state government.

This is because the proposal is a State Significant Development. The development has attained this status due to it facilitating the delivery of new in-fill affordable housing: 49 of its proposed 250 apartments will be affordable housing.