Key Points Discussed
- NSW Government developer Landcom is proposing a 23-storey build-to-rent tower (180 apartments) at 607 Pacific Highway on the former Chatswood Metro construction site.
- A 1,000-student primary school was promised for this exact site in 2022 — the current government scrapped it in early 2025.
- Just 37 car spaces for 180 dwellings. Residents expected to rely on Chatswood Station (650m away).
- Willoughby Council objects, saying local infrastructure can’t keep up with cumulative housing growth across the LGA.
- Submissions close 15 April 2026 via the NSW Planning Portal.
The former Chatswood Metro Dive Site is to be transformed into a new neighbourhood 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.
What are the Plans?
Landcom is proposing a 23-storey mixed use development, consisting of commercial premises and a residential flat building with 180 build-to-rent dwellings. The building includes 4 storey podium and an additional 19 storey residential tower, including retail premises, services, lobby and communal open space.
What is Build to Rent?
Build-to-rent housing is large-scale, purpose-built rental housing that is held in single ownership and professionally managed.
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.
Reasons Why Site is No Longer Going to Be a School
As at February 2025, the Budget Estimates identified the State Government decision to not proceed with a school over the Chatswood ‘Dive Site’.
The EIS states:
“This decision was undertaken in response to address the housing crisis and State Government targets to urgently deliver housing in accessible locations, as part of State-led housing reforms and goals transitoriented development.”
“A meeting was held with the Department of Education on the 14 October 2025 regarding local need for infrastructure and impacts of proposal on future demand. DoE modelling including known SSDAs and cumulative impacts from strategic planning such as Chatswood CBD strategy. In addition, Department-led projections indicate a decrease in demand considering a range of factors including aging in place, decreased immigration, and decreased number of children per family. It was also recognised that upgrades to Chatwood Public School, Chatswood High School…”
Locals Concerned About Traffic Congestion
When the plans to construct the 23 storey tower was announced locals were concerned that it is located on the very busy Mowbray Road/Pacific Highway intersection.
Landcom commission a Traffic Study and the EIS notes:
“The TIA prepared by SCT (Appendix 28) identifies that the impacts regarding people and vehicles to and from the site is relatively low, with only 29 vehicle trips during any peak period or 109 walking and cycling trips. For both vehicle, walking and cycling the TIA confirms there is sufficient capacity in the road network to accommodate the development vehicles. In addition, the development proposes only 36 residential parking spaces as per the SEPP requirements and is not expected to have any parking impacts.
The site is within 650m of Chatswood Station and Artarmon Train Station. Chatswood Station has commuter parking, bike racks and bus connections. Given the reduced parking rates and the availability of bus and train services within the region, public transport is likely to be the key mode of transport for the residents of the proposed development.”
Have Your Say
You can have your say on the proposed development by filling out an online form here.
Submissions close on 15 April 2026.
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