Planning
Stage 1
Stage 1 of the Waterloo South renewal is located in the south‑western corner of the precinct. It covers the area bounded by McEvoy, Cope, John and Mead Streets.
Stage 1 is a major part of the project and represents around a third of the overall renewal. It will deliver:
- A new public park and community facility building
- Seven residential buildings — including four social housing buildings and one affordable housing building
- Retail spaces and facilities for community use along key streets
- Upgrades to local roads, including new footpaths, planting, seating and safety improvements.
Several planning processes are required to deliver Stage 1. Each is outlined below.
Key components of Stage 1
A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is a planning assessment that evaluates the potential environment impact of proposed works and outlines how these impacts will be managed or mitigated. Homes NSW has submitted and received approval for an REF to demolish buildings and undertake associated site works, including tree removal, within Stage 1 of Waterloo South.
To read more, visit the Homes NSW project page.
A detailed planning application is being prepared to allow early works for Stage 1. These early works include site establishment, excavation, piling and other preparatory activities.
The planning documents for the Stage 1 Early Works can be found on the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure website here.
We are currently preparing a detailed application for the new buildings in Stage 1. These plans will refine the layout, design, uses and management of the buildings and public spaces, in line with the controls set out in the Concept Application and Rezoning.
The planning documents for Stage 1 Detailed Design can be found on the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure website, here for Block 8 and here for Block 9.
Delivering new social infrastructure early as part of the renewal is a key priority. This will mean the community has dedicated places for programs, events and cultural activities from the first stage of the redevelopment.
Stage 1 will include a new park and a new community facility building, creating an inviting place for people to gather, connect, and participate in everyday activities.
The City of Sydney will lead the planning for these spaces, including decisions about their features and uses. Council will work with the community throughout this process. Once complete, both the park and the community facility will be owned and operated by the City of Sydney, ensuring they remain important public assets.
Next steps
- The City of Sydney will prepare a brief detailing what should be delivered in the park and community facility.
- Community engagement will help shape this brief and identify priorities for these spaces.
- The brief will then be provided to us to finalise detailed plans, lodge planning applications and, once approved, deliver the new community spaces and hand them to Council to manage.
Help shape the detailed designs for Stage 1 and Stage 2 (South)
The next phase of planning for Waterloo South is underway.
We are preparing the first detailed planning applications for Stage 1 (Blocks 8 and 9), Stage 1 Early Works, and Block 2 (South). These applications will provide more detail about the design of buildings, homes, streets and public spaces that will form the first stage of the renewed Waterloo South neighbourhood.
Before these applications are lodged, we are undertaking a pre-lodgement engagement program to better understand what matters most to the community and to gather feedback that can help inform the detailed design process.
What is this engagement about?
This engagement focuses on the detailed design of the first new homes and neighbourhood spaces planned for Waterloo South.
We are seeking feedback on things like:
- Apartment layouts and day-to-day functionality
- Building entries, accessibility, safety and security
- Shared indoor and outdoor spaces
- Streets, walking connections and public areas
- Retail and community uses
- Public art and local identity
- Community wellbeing and social outcomes
- Managing construction impacts and neighbourhood change
The feedback received will help inform the preparation of the detailed planning applications and supporting studies before they are submitted to the NSW Government for assessment.
How to get involved?
There are several ways you can participate in this process.
- Tuesday 11th August from 12:00 –3:00pm, and
- Tuesday 18th August from 12:00 –3:00pm
- What makes a great social housing building
- Apartment design and accessibility
- Shared spaces, gardens and building management
- Streets, shops, community facilities and neighbourhood life
- At the Waterloo Metro Quarter Plaza – Badumurru Place (130–140 Cope Street) on Friday 7th August from 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Outside the Waterloo Metro station (Corner Raglan & Cope Streets) on Saturday 15th August from 10:00am – 12:00pm
- On the Waterloo Green (near the basketball courts) on Thursday 20th August from 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Housing design from an Aboriginal household perspective
- Cultural safety and belonging
- Connecting with Country
- Public art and cultural expression
- Housing and support needs of Aboriginal residents and Elders
Engagement timeline
What happens next?
Feedback we receive will be used to inform the detailed designfor Stage 1 and Block 2 (South) planning applications as they are finalised.
We'll provide an update on what we heard, how feedback has been considered, and what happens next in the planning process when the applications are lodged.
Where is Stage 1?
Planning timeline
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is the Government authority responsible for assessing planning applications for Waterloo South.
Community members will have opportunities to learn about what’s proposed and provide feedback before any planning decision is made.
The planning process follows seven main steps. Here’s where we’re at for this stage:
Step 1 – Scoping report
A report that lets the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure know we intend to start work on a planning application.
Step 2 – Study and consultation requirements confirmed
The Department sets out what studies are needed, and what consultation should happen, before the planning application can be lodged.
Step 3 – Prepare the application
The application is prepared – usually including plans and detailed studies– and pre-lodgement consultation is carried out to help inform the application.
Step 4 – Lodge the application
The application is lodged with the Department.
Step 5 – Public Exhibition
The Department notifies community that the application has been lodged, and sets a timeframe during which submissions can be made. The full application is made available online and community can make submissions during this period directly to the Department.
Step 6 – Response to Submissions report
All submissions are reviewed, and depending on the comments, changes may be made to the application. A Response to Submissions (RtS) report is prepared and submitted back to the Department.
Step 7 – Assessment and decision
The Department assesses the application, submission and the RtS, and makes a decision.