The former Chatswood Metro Dive Site is to be transformed into a new neighbourhood featuring up to 1,500 new apartments, including 180 build-to-rent apartments for essential workers, shops, services, and outdoor spaces. Willoughby City Council believes the proposed development lacks the infrastructure to support the number of new homes and planned homes in its local government area.
Where is the Dive Site?
The site is located at 607 Pacific Highway, Chatswood, situated on the busy intersection of Pacific Highway and Mowbray Road, within the Willoughby City Council area. The Lane Cove local government area finishes just across the road at the old Chatswood Uniting Church.
Landcom (the developer) describes the area as.
“Located in the Chatswood CBD, future residents will be close to public transport, restaurants, shops, services, schools and health facilities, including Royal North Shore Hospital – one of Sydney’s largest hospitals.”
What was the Dive Site?
The Dive Site was used to assist in the construction of the Sydney Metro. Sydney Metro’s construction work is complete; the current on-site activity involves the remediation of residual land, as well as the delivery of a future shared path along Mowbray Road to link into the Willoughby Council cycleway network.
Who Is the Developer?
The State Government’s property developer, Landcom, will be responsible for the development and has released its plans.
Landcom has said its vision includes:
- 180 build-to-rent apartments offered to essential workers like nurses, paramedics, teachers, police officers and firefighters at a discount to market rent, through a separate subsidy
- up to 1,300 additional apartments with a mix of affordable rental housing and homes to buy
- shops and services
- outdoor spaces for people to meet, relax and socialise, including a central park, lush native greenery, shaded seating areas, and public art
- future community use of heritage-listed Mowbray House
- walking and cycling connections to the wider area.
There will be multiple towers up to 56 storeys.
The project is supported by the NSW Government’s $450 million investment into Landcom to deliver 400 build-to-rent homes for essential workers in metropolitan Sydney, closer to their jobs and services.
What was Planned for The Dive Site?
In December 2022, the previous State Liberal Government released a tender seeking a developer to construct a mixed-use precinct featuring a new 1,000-student public primary school and public open spaces.
Has the School Plan Been Dropped?
Earlier this year, Willoughby City Council released a media statement noting that the State Government had backed down from proceeding with the new school at the dive site, calling it a critical piece of infrastructure for a high-growth centre.
What is Willoughby City Council’s Response to the Proposed Plans?
Willoughby City Council has acknowledged the NSW Government’s announcement of 1500 new homes at the former Chatswood Metro Dive Site, including 180 build-to-rent apartments for essential workers.
Mayor Tanya Taylor said, “Willoughby Council has a strong track record of delivering zoned land for new housing. However, housing alone is not enough. With 1500 new homes planned, it’s critical that this new community also has access to schools, green open space and places for families to connect.”
Council has long advocated for public benefit outcomes at the site, including a new school and playing fields, to support Chatswood’s rapid growth.
“Our vision is for a neighbourhood where children grow up learning and playing together, not stuck in apartments looking at screens. We need to make sure new housing is supported by vital community infrastructure like schools and open space” Mayor Taylor said.
Council will continue to implore the NSW Government to help deliver a balanced outcome for the site and the wider community.
“This is a rare opportunity to plan for the future on a key gateway site into Willoughby and the Chatswood CBD, and Council looks forward to working with the State Government to help deliver the best outcome for the community,” Mayor Tanya Taylor said.
Tim James, State Member for Willoughby, has criticised the plan and stated:.
“Instead of investing in our community, education and open space, Labor will sell off a prime 15,000 square metre publicly owned site to the highest bidder. This once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver broad lasting community benefit will be squandered. The community will get near wall-to-wall high-rise on the site with little to show for it except traffic gridlock and no plan for schools, roads or services. It does not meet the community’s best interests.
The Metro dive site was planned by the Liberals to be a much-needed public school and site for open space, together with some residential homes for essential service workers. Local schools are already full and refusing local enrolments, catchments are being redrawn, yet Labor claims there’s no need.”
The Pacific Highway and Mowbray Road intersection is one of the busiest in Northern Sydney. It is already a parking lot in peak hour, and there’s no plan here to address the extra traffic that development on this scale will bring.
Your Chance to Participate in Commenting on the Proposal?
Landcom is requesting feedback until 9 am, Monday, 27 October 2025, from neighbours, the local community, and future beneficiaries of the proposal, including essential workers.
We will carefully consider feedback alongside planning requirements, such as site constraints, housing and sustainability targets, and project feasibility, to finalise our plans.
You can comment in one of the following ways:
Meet the Project Team in Person
Join us anytime during the hours below to view project information and speak with the team. Information will be available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Session 1
📅 When: Tuesday 14 October 2025, 4 pm-7 pm
📍 Where: Dougherty Community Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood
Session 2
📅 When: Thursday 16 October 2025, 3 pm-6 pm
📍 Where: Chatswood Mall Markets, Victoria Avenue (near Victor Street), Chatswood
Complete an Online Survey
You can also fill out a survey here
Next Stages
Planning
Landcom aims to submit three applications to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (NSW Planning) in late 2025:
- a Planning Proposal to rezone the site, enabling future development from 25 to 56 storeys (up to 180m) with a mix of residential and non-residential uses
- a State Significant Development Application for site subdivision and concept development, guiding the design of future buildings, the streets, public areas and open space
- a State Significant Development Application to deliver 180 build-to-rent apartments for essential workers.
Planning NSW will exhibit the applications, allowing the public to view the plans and submit feedback.
Landcom has stated that it is working with technical specialists to understand site opportunities and constraints, and to support our planning for the site’s rezoning and well-designed development. Technical studies encompass local traffic and transportation, urban design, landscape design, civil engineering, heritage, and environmental assessments.
Construction
Pending approvals, construction of the streets, services and open space is expected to start late 2026. The build-to-rent apartment construction is expected to start in early 2027, with the first essential workers expected to move in by late 2028.
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