Tag: Brookvale Structure Plan

Proposed Apartment Block Aligns with Brookvale Structure Plan

Photo Credit: DA2024/1684

A proposed 68-unit apartment development has been lodged for a prominent Pittwater Road site in Brookvale, supporting long-term revitalisation plans for the suburb.

Read: Tradespeople Hit by Tool Thefts in Brookvale

Development Proposal in Brookvale Supports Long-Term Plan

A new four-storey apartment complex featuring 68 residential units has been proposed for a vacant block at 638 Pittwater Road, Brookvale. The development forms part of the ongoing implementation of the Brookvale Structure Plan, which was endorsed by NBC in late 2023.

Brookvale
Photo Credit: DA2024/1684

Previous Approvals and Site History

The site, formerly occupied by a St Vincent de Paul shop and warehouse, previously received development approval in 2020 for a three-storey mixed-use building. That proposal included 48 units and three commercial or retail spaces on the ground floor. The site has since been cleared for redevelopment and remains vacant.

Revised Application Details

A new application has now been lodged by a Strathfield-based developer to increase the building height to four storeys and the total number of units to 68. The location, positioned near the Brookvale bus depot and on the edge of an industrial zone, is being targeted as part of a broader mixed-use development strategy.

The developer’s planning consultant noted that the site’s use for shop-top housing fits within the objectives of the Brookvale Structure Plan and represents a logical urban design outcome for the area.

Brookvale Structure Plan Overview

NBC formally endorsed the Brookvale Structure Plan on 28 November 2023. The plan outlines a 15-year development roadmap that allows for up to 1,350 new homes and aims to increase housing diversity and affordability across the suburb. At least 5 per cent of these homes are designated as affordable housing.

The plan also includes provision for up to eight-storey mixed-use buildings along Pittwater Road, with potential for 15-storey developments near Warringah Mall and the B-Line stop. Two industrial zones—east and west of Pittwater Road—will remain, though building heights can reach four storeys.

Additional features include a proposed town square with green space, new community facilities, and improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The plan is supported by studies on transport, employment, and housing, as well as feedback from public consultation.

Brookvale Structure Plan
Photo Credit: DA2024/1684

Public Submissions and Next Steps

Read: Brookvale Identified as One of Northern Beaches’ Hottest Suburbs

Public submissions for the development application at 638 Pittwater Road closed on 9 July. The proposal is one of the early developments intended to support the implementation of NBC’s long-term redevelopment plan for Brookvale.

Published 12-July-2025

Brookvale Identified as One of Northern Beaches’ Hottest Suburbs

Brookvale has been revealed as one of the most heat-vulnerable suburbs in the Northern Beaches, with just 21 per cent tree canopy coverage—among the lowest in the local government area—and experiencing urban temperatures over 9°C above reference levels.

Read: Brookvale Bus Stop Named Northern Beaches’ Worst Street Drinking Hotspot

A new study conducted by Northern Beaches Council in partnership with Western Sydney University has delivered the most detailed microclimate and urban heat mapping of Brookvale to date. The data paints a confronting picture of the suburb’s exposure to heat extremes, much of it driven by low vegetation and the dominance of hard, grey infrastructure.

Allenby Park (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Across the 30 monitored locations, the study found that temperature differences of nearly 5°C can exist within the same suburb. The highest temperature, 43.7°C, was recorded on Mitchell Road during the peak of summer on 28 January 2025. By contrast, cooler pockets were detected near Allenby Park, where denser tree coverage helps moderate the local climate.

Photo credit: Google Street View

The suburb’s industrial and mixed-use zones were consistently the hottest, with some streets having less than 10 per cent canopy cover. These areas not only heated up faster but retained heat longer into the evening, illustrating the classic symptoms of the urban heat island effect. Streets like Dale Street recorded mean air temperatures nearly 1.5°C warmer than greener locations such as Clearview Place.

Yet, the study also revealed that while trees are essential for reducing daytime heat, dense canopies can act as thermal blankets at night, trapping warm air beneath. This dual effect adds complexity to urban planning and highlights the importance of a balanced approach to vegetation and airflow.

Photo credit: Google Street View

The findings are set to directly inform Council’s Brookvale Structure Plan – Greening Strategy, which aims to tackle these heat issues by adding more shade, greenery, and water elements to public spaces. Council is also exploring further temperature monitoring subject to additional funding, to track the effectiveness of future interventions.

The project was funded by the Australian Government’s Housing Support Scheme Grant and is part of broader efforts to build climate resilience in the rapidly evolving suburb.

Read: New Streetside EV Chargers in Northern Beaches, Including Allambie Heights, Meet Surging Demand

With development pressures increasing and summer temperatures soaring, the study offers clear evidence that Brookvale’s future liveability will hinge on how quickly and effectively its urban forest can grow.

Published 13-June-2025