Decision details

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Miller -

It is resolved that:

(A)       the requirement under Clause 6.21D(2) of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 requiring a competitive design process is unreasonable or unnecessary in the circumstances;

(B)       the requirement under Clause 7.20(3) of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 requiring the preparation of a development control plan is unreasonable or unnecessary in the circumstances;

(C)       the variation requested to Clause 4.3 height of buildings in accordance with Clause 4.6 exceptions to development standards of Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 be upheld; and

(D)       consent be granted to Development Application D/2025/1160 subject to the conditions set out in Attachment A to the subject report, subject to the following amendments (additions shown in bold italics, deletions shown in strikethrough):

(1)        APPROVED DEVELOPMENT

(a)     Development must be in accordance with Development Application No. D/2025/1160 dated 20 November 2025 and the following drawings prepared by Architectus Australia Pty Ltd:

and as amended by the conditions of this consent.

(b)     In the event of any inconsistency between the approved plans and supplementary documentation, the drawings will prevail.

Reason

To ensure all parties are aware of the approved plans and supporting documentation that applies to the development.

Reasons for Decision

The application was approved for the following reasons:

(A)       The proposed development satisfies the objectives of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, in that, subject to the imposition of conditions as recommended, it achieves the objectives of the planning controls for the site for the reasons outlined in the report to the Central Sydney Planning Committee.

(B)       The proposed development generally satisfies the objectives and provisions of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 and the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012. Where non-compliances arise, they have been demonstrated to be acceptable in the circumstances of the case or can be resolved by the recommended conditions of consent.

(C)       The proposed development will allow the full remediation and reconstruction of the Head Office of the Reserve Bank of Australia in a manner that respects the original 1960s design, including the reintroduction of many external elements that have been lost in later remedial works. The proposed development, subject to the recommended conditions of consent, will conserve the heritage significance of the site in accordance with the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) and Clause 5.10 of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012.

(D)       The proposed development complies with the maximum floor space ratio development standard in Clauses 4.4 and 6.4 of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012.

(E)       The proposed development complies with the sun access planes for Hyde Park and The Domain in accordance with Clause 6.17 of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012.

(F)       Based upon the material available to the Central Sydney Planning Committee at the time of determining this application, the Committee is satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated that compliance with the height of buildings development standard under Clause 4.3 of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 is unreasonable or unnecessary in the circumstances and that there are sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify the contravention of the development standard in accordance with the requirements of Clause 4.6(3) of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012.

(G)      The architectural design, materiality and environmental performance of the proposed development combine to achieve a high-quality design outcome that respects the original 1960s design and satisfy the relevant provisions and matters for consideration in Clause 6.21C of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012.

(H)       The proposed development has a height, scale and form suitable for the site and its context, and subject to conditions, satisfactorily responds to the heights and setbacks of neighbouring developments and is appropriate in the streetscape context and setting of the Martin Place special character area.

(I)         Subject to the recommended conditions of consent, the proposed development achieves acceptable amenity for the existing and future occupants of the subject and neighbouring sites.

(J)        The public interest is served by the approval of the proposed development subject to recommended conditions imposed relating to the appropriate management of associated potential environmental impacts.

(K)       Condition 1 was amended to reference the updated drawings submitted during assessment.

Carried unanimously.

D/2025/1160