Urban Digest

An $83.2 million in-fill affordable housing project at 5-9 Cowan Road, St Ives has been approved, allowing for a nine-storey residential flat building with 77 apartments. The State Significant Development consent covers demolition of existing structures, site preparation, and construction of a single building with three basement levels.

The approved scheme includes 64 market apartments and 13 affordable dwellings, making up 15.5% of the total gross floor area. The apartment mix comprises 12 two-bedroom, 50 three-bedroom, and 2 four-bedroom market units, with affordable housing split between 8 two-bedroom and 5 three-bedroom apartments.

The project delivers a gross floor area of 9,917.6 sqm on a 3,468 sqm site. Basement parking provides 125 car spaces and 84 bicycle spaces. Site works include removal of 24 trees and planting of 16 new trees.

The site is zoned R3 Medium Density Residential, with the 30.6-metre building height permissible with consent. No rezoning was required. The application was assessed under Section 26A of the Planning Systems SEPP, meeting the SSD threshold for in-fill affordable housing.

The proposal was exhibited twice in late 2025 and mid-2026, attracting 38 submissions.

For more information, search the application number (SSD-88948458) on the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s website.