business - 2026-06-25

Frenchs Forest town centre plan puts essential worker housing in focus as developer interest opens

Source: manlyobserver.com.au

The future of the former Frenchs Forest High School site has moved a step closer, with the NSW Government opening a registration of interest for the land as part of plans for a new town centre with at least 1,000 homes. For the Northern Beaches, the project matters not just because of its size, but because it is being treated as a key test of whether major public land can be used to house the workers local services rely on.

The future of the former Frenchs Forest High School site has moved a step closer, with the NSW Government opening a registration of interest for the land as part of plans for a new town centre with at least 1,000 homes. For the Northern Beaches, the project matters not just because of its size, but because it is being treated as a key test of whether major public land can be used to house the workers local services rely on. The site at 135 Frenchs Forest Road West was declared surplus land after a NSW Government land audit. It is now earmarked for a mixed-use redevelopment including commercial, retail, education and community facilities, public green space and residential towers of up to 12 storeys, similar in height to the neighbouring Northern Beaches Hospital. Under the registration of interest, run by Property and Development NSW, applicants must show how they would deliver at least 1,000 diverse dwellings, a minimum 15 per cent affordable housing component in perpetuity, and 1.5 hectares of open space. The government has also indicated that proposals delivering more affordable housing will be viewed more favourably, with up to 100 per cent affordable housing to be...