How did the Uniting Church get to upsize its $445 million senior living towers in Gordon?

The rezoning of a site in Gordon has allowed the Uniting Church to upsize its planned development from eight storeys to 12.

The land on Carlotta Avenue has had its planning restrictions altered multiple times in recent years. 

The first, in 2024, was part of the state government-enforced Transport Oriented Development (TOD) housing plan, which aims to build higher density housing within 800 metres of light rail or train stations.

What is that: Plans from 2025 designed under the state plan proposed a smaller complex at a maximum height of eight storeys.

• However, after a legal battle with the state, Ku-ring-gai Council was able to modify its TOD. Its custom-made plan allows higher density development around Gordon and Lindfield train stations, while maintaining low-rise restrictions in its outer suburbs. The 800-metre rule was scrapped. 

While this quashed development plans for some, Uniting Church came out on top: the land it owned — near Gordon station — had been bumped up from a maximum of eight stories to 12. Uniting paused its previous plans, went back to the drawing board, and brought back a  bigger development.

What happened: Now, the vacant block next to the North Shore train line will be converted into four high-rise residential buildings as part of a village for seniors. 

The Uniting Church has lodged the project as a State Significant Development, which means approvals rest with the state, not council. It is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the state government to assess. Following this, the project goes out for public consultation. 

Project documents propose four buildings — two at twelve storeys and two at nine — at the site sitting between Carlotta Avenue, Ryde Road and the Pacific Highway, adjacent to Pymble Bunnings. If approved, the $445 million development would provide 90 rooms dedicated to aged care and 235 retirement living apartments. 

The village area between the four buildings will also host a salon, cafe and chapel.