Site
Applies to Mortdale Local Centre and surrounding areas.
Applicant
Georges River Council.
Planning Proposal Request
To amend the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 to:
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Implement the vision of the adopted Mortdale Local Centre Master Plan.
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Increase supply of housing, while provide greater housing choice to meet State Government directions and local housing targets for more housing close to public transport infrastructure and services.
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Introduce appropriate height limits to the E1 Local Centre zone to reinforce the local centre core area around the train station and provide certainty for development.
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Increase the employment floorspace to meet future demand by expanding the E1 zone and increase the minimum non-residential floorspace requirement for new development within the E1 zone.
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Encourage a high quality and activated public domain with good solar access.
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Unlock Council land within Mortdale Centre for redevelopment, delivering new housing, employment floor space and community infrastructure.
- Rezone land to enable a variety of land uses (residential and mixed use) within walking distance of Mortdale railway station.
The proposed changes to the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 for Mortdale Centre aim to deliver a vibrant, transport-oriented hub. These changes are intended to provide a variety of housing options, along with new shops, community facilities, and open spaces—enhancing Mortdale Centre’s liveability and supporting the needs of both current and future residents.
Background
Mortdale is identified as one of eight ‘Local Centres’ in the Georges River Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) 2040. To guide future development in Mortdale over the next 20 years, Council in August 2020 resolved to prepare a Master Plan for the Mortdale Local Centre.
A Master Plan for the Mortdale Local Centre was adopted by Council at its meeting on Monday 23 October 2023. The Master Plan:
Council resolved at its meeting on 28 April 2025 to amend the implementation of the adopted Mortdale Local Centre Master Plan in response to the commencement of the Low to Mid-Rise Housing Policy. The amendment:
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Deletes the proposed R3 Medium Density Residential zone fronting Newman Street, Cross Street, Victoria Avenue and Cooks Lane, Mortdale retaining these areas as R2 Low Density Residential zone.
- Increases the Floor Space Ratio and building height of the proposed R4 – High Density Residential zoned area from 1:1 FSR to 2.2:1 FSR and 15m to 22m.
The Planning Proposal was referred to the Local Planning Panel on 18 December 2025.
At its meeting on 28 April 2026, Council resolved to submit the Mortdale Centre Master Plan Planning Proposal (PP2026/0001) to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for a Gateway Determination and endorsed draft Amendment No. 8 to the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021 (DCP) for concurrent exhibition.
Following an adequacy assessment of the Planning Proposal, DPHI issued a letter requesting additional technical investigations, raising concerns regarding whether the proposed four to six storey-built form outcomes provide sufficient housing uplift within a strategically located centre. A copy of the letter is attached the Council Report considered on 24 August 2026 (CCL067-26).
Status
At its meeting on 24 August 2026, Council resolved:
a) That Council note the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s letter regarding the adequacy assessment for the Mortdale Centre Master Plan Planning Proposal (PP2026/0001).
b) That Council reaffirm its support for the adopted Mortdale Local Centre Master Plan and endorse Option 1, being the continuation of Planning Proposal PP2026/0001, and actively pursue State and Federal grant funding opportunities as a priority to undertake the targeted technical studies identified by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure as necessary to address the adequacy assessment and progress the Planning Proposal.
c) That should external grant funding not be secured within a reasonable timeframe, Council Georges River Council - Minutes of Council Meeting - 24 August 2026 Page 16 consider the allocation of funding through the 2027/28 Budget process to undertake the required technical studies and enable the continued progression of Planning Proposal PP2026/0001.
d) That a further report be provided to Council outlining available funding opportunities, the scope and cost of the required technical studies, and a proposed pathway for progressing the Planning Proposal.
e) That Council endorse the continued progression of Amendment No.8 to the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021, including the character, urban design, public domain, streetscape, active transport and place-making outcomes arising from the adopted Mortdale Local Centre Master Plan, where these can be implemented independently of the Planning Proposal.
Planning Proposal
Council Reports and Minutes
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