Waterloo Metro Quarter Master Planning
The Metro Quarter is the site above the proposed Waterloo Metro Station. It has its own State Significant Precinct (SSP) study requirements. Early Visioning and study preparation was undertaken jointly with the Waterloo Estate SSP. On 18 May 2018 it was announced that the Metro Quarter master plan would be decoupled from Waterloo Estate master plan and that development of the Metro Quarter would be fast tracked to be built by 2022, two years before the station is scheduled to start operation. The announcement came simultaneously with 13 days notice of a 21 day "non statutory" exhibition of the draft master plan proposal for the above and below ground aspects of the site. The announcement broke undertakings given by LAHC, representing themselves, UrbanGrowth and Transport for NSW, that there would be a 6-8 weeks break between the release of the Visioning and consultant report summaries before there was any master plan consultations. During this time there was to be workshops run by the consultants on the main studies so the community understood the issues raised by the consultants that should be reflected in the the master plan. The decoupling makes it difficult to deal with site wide issues such as what community facilities might be best located on the estate or at the station.
On 5th November 2020 the Department of Planning Industry and Environment (DPIE) put the State Significant Development Applications (DAs) for the Waterloo Metro over Station Development (OSD) on exhibition until December 2nd 2020. There are five different DAs that the community is expected to digest and comment on within the 28 days exhibition period! REDWatch has provided links to the exhibition and other information to assist submissions.
On 5th November 2020 the Department of Planning Industry and Environment (DPIE) put the State Significant Development Applications (DAs) for the Waterloo Metro over Station Development (OSD) on exhibition until December 2nd 2020. There are five different DAs that the community is expected to digest and comment on within the 28 days exhibition period!
This is the final REDWatch submission for the December 2020 Waterloo Metro Quarter Over Station Development DAs. The issues raised in this submission came out of a submission workshop on November 24 2020 held by REDWatch and from input from the immediate community about their concerns. The submission covers all 5 DAs that were on exhibition.
This presentation by Dr Laura Crommelin - CFRC Fellow from UNSW City Futures Research Centre was presented to a REDWatch meeting on 3 February 2022. The brief presentation deals with recent work on lower-income residents in higher density as well as summarising key findings from research on mixed tenure development, Equitable density and improving outcomes from development. It also provides links to some research and articles in The Conversation.
With only the Southern portion of the Waterloo Metro Over-Station development in construction WL Developer Pty Ltd, the Mirvac and John Holland venture, applied in December 2024 for planning requirements to change the rest of the development.
2026 kicks off with the Metro Over Station Development (OSD) proposed changes exhibition closing on 15 January 2026.
REDWatch is concerned that the Over Station Development (OSD) Social Impact Assessment for the proposed Second Amending Concept DA on exhibition until 15 January 2026, does not accurately assess the area and its needs. In particular it does not deal adequately with the impact of the development on the most disadvantaged in the area and their interaction with the project.
This submission covers REDWatch's objections to the proposed removal of community facilities space in the revised proposal and the proposal to only provide childcare facilities when the project scope does not generate the need for additional childcare facilities according to its own Social Impact Assessment (SIA). REDWatch also raises concerns about the SIA not assessing the potential impact of the project on the surrounding public housing community and how that impact might be managed. The submission draws on demographic analysis, the Planning Departments SIA Guidelines and earlier studies to raise concerns about the SIA and the proposal based on it.
Concept image for Waterloo Metro Quarter public plaza from consultation flyer
This model of the proposed Waterlo Metro Quarter development is on display at Level 2 Town Hall House 456 Kent Street Sydney at least until 30 Jan 2019.
The 22 Statistical Areas used for the Waterloo Metro Over Station Development Social Impact Assessment which includes the most and the least socio-economic advantaged statistical area.
Waterloo Metro Second Amending Concept DA Changes showing decrease in proposed community facilities space.
This model of the proposed Waterloo Metro Quarter development is on display at Level 2 Town Hall House 456 Kent Street Sydney at least until 30 Jan 2019.