A State Significant Development (SSD) proposal has been lodged for an expansion of a previously approved residential development in Castle Hill. Castle Hill Unit Trust has submitted the application to the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI) on 10 February 2025. The proposal seeks Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for alterations and additions to an existing development. LJB Urban Planning is responsible for preparing the planning documentation.
Project Overview
The proposal covers the site at 16-30 Dawes Avenue, 4-8 Hughes Avenue, and 2-10 Cadman Crescent, Castle Hill, within The Hills Shire Local Government Area (LGA). The land is zoned R4 High-Density Residential under The Hills Local Environmental Plan 2019 (THLEP), making residential flat buildings permissible with consent.
The project aims to modify an existing approval (DA672/2023/JP), which received consent from the Land and Environment Court on 17 August 2023. This approval permitted the demolition of existing structures and the construction of 280 apartments across eight six-storey buildings.
The current approved scheme compared to the proposed scheme, featuring two additional levels.
The proposed expansion would increase the total number of apartments to 360, including 48 designated affordable housing units.
Key Development Details
- Site Area: 15,697 sqm
- Existing Approved GFA: 35,151 sqm
- Proposed GFA: 44,814 sqm
- Proposed Floor Space Ratio (FSR): 2.86:1
- Affordable Housing GFA: 6,092 sqm (13.33% of max permissible GFA)
- Height Increase: From 21m to 26.586m (+26.6%)
- Number of Apartments: 360 (increase of 80 units)
- 46 one-bedroom units
- 184 two-bedroom units
- 130 three-bedroom units
- Parking Spaces: 654
- Estimated Development Cost: $108 million
Reasons for the Expansion
The Scoping Report outlines several reasons for the proposed changes.
1. Compliance with NSW Government Housing SEPP (2021)
The NSW Government amended the Housing SEPP in August 2024, allowing developers to apply for alterations and additions to existing approvals. These changes create an expanded SSD pathway, enabling projects to combine existing and new development costs to meet the $75 million SSD threshold.
2. Increasing Housing Supply & Affordable Housing
The proposal adds 80 new apartments, bringing the total to 360 units, with 48 set aside as affordable housing. This expansion aligns with the Greater Sydney Region Plan, which promotes high-density residential growth near transport hubs.
3. Strategic Location Near Public Transport
The site is 550 metres from Showground Metro Station, meeting the criteria for an accessible area under the Housing SEPP.
The development supports The Hills Future 2036 Local Strategic Planning Statement, which aims to add 9,000 new dwellings in the Showground Precinct by 2036.
Additionally, the Greater Sydney Region Plan and Central City District Plan encourage high-density residential projects near key public transport nodes.
4. Maximising Floor Space & Height Bonus
The proposal utilises an approved 26.6% bonus height and 24.1% bonus GFA, increasing building height from six to eight storeys.
All modifications comply with the Apartment Design Guide (ADG) to ensure quality living standards.
5. Reconfiguring Basements for Additional Parking
To accommodate the extra apartments, the basement levels will be expanded and reconfigured. This ensures sufficient parking and efficient use of space within the development.
Proposed Modifications
The alterations and additions to the approved development include:
- Increasing building height from six to eight storeys
- Reconfiguring basements to provide additional parking
- Allocating 13.3% of total residential floor space to affordable housing
- Adjusting apartment layouts and sizes
- Enhancing communal open spaces and amenities
- Relocating infrastructure components, including substations and gas meters
These modifications are designed to increase housing availability while maintaining high urban design standards.
Project Team
The Castle Hill Unit Trust is leading the development, supported by the following consultants:
- Urban Planner: LJB Urban Planning
- Architectural Design: Place Studio
- Surveying: Azimuth Surveyors Pty Ltd
- Development Cost Analysis: Property & Building Assessments Pty Ltd
- Design Statement: Peter Smith
Next Steps
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI) will assess the proposal and issue SEARs, which will guide the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Following this, a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) will be lodged for public consultation and assessment.
For more details, search SSD-80229956 on the DPHI website: Residential Development & Affordable Housing – Dawes Avenue, Castle Hill.
