business - 2026-07-06

State planning panel backs Ingleside rezoning for 536 homes despite council opposition

Source: manlyobserver.com.au

A state planning panel has backed a major rezoning proposal in Ingleside, pushing it towards Gateway determination despite Northern Beaches Council opposing the plan and residents raising concerns about bushfire safety, evacuation and infrastructure. The 3-1 decision by the Sydney North Planning Panel relates to land at Wilga Avenue and Wilson Street and could pave the way for 536 homes in an area now zoned Rural Landscape.

A state planning panel has backed a major rezoning proposal in Ingleside, pushing it towards Gateway determination despite Northern Beaches Council opposing the plan and residents raising concerns about bushfire safety, evacuation and infrastructure. The 3-1 decision by the Sydney North Planning Panel relates to land at Wilga Avenue and Wilson Street and could pave the way for 536 homes in an area now zoned Rural Landscape. If it proceeds through the remaining planning steps, the proposal would rezone the site to allow medium-density housing, public recreation and environmental conservation uses. The panel said the move was justified by the need for housing supply, while also finding the proposal could adequately address or manage natural hazards and that the local road network could support the expected increase in homes. The scale of the proposal would mark a major change for the area. Current plans include 133 detached dwellings of up to two storeys, 210 terrace homes of up to three storeys and 193 apartments of up to six storeys. Buildings could reach 24 metres, making the project notably different from surrounding streets, which are zoned either RU2 Rural Landscape or R2...