Randwick Junction Planning Strategy

Project update: The draft Randwick Junction Planning Proposal has been lodged with the Department of Planning and Environment requesting ‘Gateway Determination’ to exhibit the plan. Consultation on the Planning Proposal is expected to commence late 2023/early 2024. 

Randwick City Council has developed a draft Planning Strategy for the Randwick Junction Town Centre. The draft strategy sets out the vision and actions to guide the sustainable growth and physical development of the town centre over the next 15 years.

It identifies public benefits including improvements to the town centre's public domain and public spaces, promotes key laneway activation, and identifies sustainable strategies for environmental conservation and best practice architectural design.

The draft Strategy also outlines a plan to guide future development and encourage renewal of existing sites and to meet future demand for commercial and retail floor space for expanding health and education services.

Key changes and community benefits proposed by the draft Strategy

• Strengthened heritage: Preserve the heritage significance of the town centre with additional heritage items and contributory buildings.
• Consolidated town boundary: Extend the existing boundary of the town centre to provide a consistent zoning that strengthens the centre by augmenting business and mixed uses to support future growth.
• Promote planned growth: Focus commercial and retail growth in select opportunity and infill sites to support future planned growth.
• Improved Public Spaces: Provide new public plaza, rejuvenated public places, activated laneways and wider footpaths to ensure a revitalised town centre.
• Sustainable Green Architecture: New developments will require green walls, green roofs and landscaped terraces, and achieve green star energy efficient buildings.
• Affordable Housing - Dedicate a percentage of units in new developments to affordable housing.

Read more about how the strategy will create a vibrant town centre.

Why planned change is needed

• Significant demand is forecast for more commercial medical and retail floorspace; largely driven by the expansion of the surrounding hospital and university campus.
• Light rail will increase pedestrian movement, attract more visitors and stimulate business activity.
• Randwick is a bustling shopping and pedestrian area, but significant improvements can be made to improve the experience for people.
• Future development is highly likely and Council wants to ensure this development is sustainable, modest in height and provides considered public benefit.

What you’ve told us

Between 2016 and 2019, Randwick Council consulted with local residents, shoppers and property owners to get your ideas to improve the town centre and develop this strategy. Our community consultation found:

• Creating a pedestrian-friendly environment, street trees and more landscaping were the most important public domain issues.
• People like the variety of shops, convenience, and friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
• People want to see traffic congestion addressed, improved pedestrian accessibility, better footpaths and improved open spaces and streetscapes.

Click here for more on our Randwick Junction Town Centre Review.

Have your say

• Read the Randwick Junction Planning Strategy
• Make an online submission or;
• Send your comments headed “Randwick Junction Planning Strategy” to the General Manager by email council@randwick.nsw.gov.au or by post to Randwick City Council, 30 Frances Street, Randwick NSW 2031.

Consultation period: 11 November to 8 December 2020.