FAQs

A master plan is a document that helps coordinate Council, community, developer and government objectives in an area that is planned to undergo revitalisation or transformation. A master plan is supported by financial, economic and social research and provides a coordinated strategy for the delivery of new buildings, infrastructure, land use and public space. A master plan does not define the specifics of developments or future proposals, but guides these proposals in the context of other work that will need to occur in the future. For Council the master plan is an important document to balance the needs of the current and future Mortdale and Georges River community, align new developments to deliver the future vision and provide value for money in future Council improvements to the area.

The Mortdale Local Centre is an important place for many reasons. It is: 

• The location of the Mortdale station which makes it a commuter hub
• An area of high amenity that supports retail, commercial and residential land uses
• A lively place with restaurants and cafes and a unique local vibe. 
• A local employment hub providing current and future jobs 

However, there is no overarching plan to guide the Mortdale Local Centre into the future. Council seeks to manage growth and future development in the Mortdale Local Centre and improve the amenity of the centre with enhanced built environment and public domain. A master plan will provide a holistic picture on new housing and employment opportunities to support a vibrant local centre and will provide consistency in decision making. It is supported by considerations of infrastructure, traffic and development feasibility to enable a holistic review.

The master plan is in its draft form. Council has completed technical studies, undertaken some preliminary community engagement and completed the planning document. This work, as well as further community consultation, informed the preparation of the master plan. The draft document is now being exhibited for the community to have their say on the vision proposed by Council. After consultation, final changes will be considered, the draft plan will be finalised and voted on by Council.

If endorsed, Council will then begin implementing the master plan, this will include amendments to Council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP). Further consultation as required by the NSW Government will be undertaken with property owners impacted by changes in zoning and building height. The master plan also recommends mechanisms for developers to financially contribute to the goals of improving the street scape as well as increasing and improving public open space in the area. This will be implemented over the coming years through amendments to the Development Control Plan (DCP) and during the assessment of Development Applications (DA) of future developments.

New higher density housing that is appropriate to the scale of the location is proposed as part of the plan. This will include a mix of housing types, including: Up to 6-storey mixed use (shop top housing with lower-level commercial space) in B2 Local Centre Zone, 4-storey apartments (residential flats) along Victoria Avenue and Cook Street and new low-rise, medium density housing (2- storey multi-dwelling housing and terraces) closer to St Catherine Street and Carrington Avenue. In the B2 Local Centre Zone, bonus incentives are proposed, which may allow 1-2 additional storeys to be provided, where land amalgamation criteria have been met and affordable housing  are provided. Care has been taken in considering overshadowing and traffic impacts from any new development. The master plan will help deliver new facilities which will better support increasing density in the area, and make the place more liveable for everyone.

The master plan proposes an incremental growth that reinforces and supports the structure of Mortdale. A range of initiatives and changes is proposed with the aim of planning for the future of Mortdale Local Centre. The plan includes initiatives that will improve the mix of land use and encourage new commercial investment and businesses to create more employment opportunities. The plan demonstrates a way to deliver new houses in the area, providing a diverse range of new homes close to public transport and essential services. Responding to the increase in density, the plan also lays out Council’s vision to improve the public space network through public spaces and facilities for community including local road upgrades, road closure plazas, town square, new park, library and community hub.

The draft master plan proposes to include the Cook Street car park in the expansion of the B2 Local Centre zone along both sides of Cook Street. Any future redevelopment of Council sites would be required to provide public parking within a new development.

The draft master plan proposes a Base and Bonus density control. The affordable housing contributions required under the draft Mortdale Master Plan Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme (the draft AHCS) are linked to these Base and Bonus controls.

• Where development proceeds under the Base density controls, an affordable housing contribution of 1% of residential floor area applies. 
• Where development occurs under the Bonus density controls, a higher affordable housing contribution of 3% of residential floor area applies. 

The monetary equivalents of the 1% and 3% affordable housing contribution rates are detailed in the draft Mortdale Master Plan AHCS.

Affordable housing contributions can be made in the form of monetary contributions or in-kind dedications (i.e. completed affordable housing dwellings). 

If the affordable housing contribution required is less than 50sqm, a monetary contribution is the preferred contribution method. A theoretical example of how this would work is shown in the draft AHCS (see below). 

For more detailed information, please refer to the draft AHCS in the exhibition documents.

The master plan proposes changes in zoning that will help facilitate future growth and improvements in public domain, access and accessibility in the area. Changes to zoning and building height will allow additional jobs and housing in the areas within 400m of Mortdale station. The master plan makes recommendations to the land use, height and zoning of the future Mortdale Local Centre, but isn’t the instrument used to implement these changes. Changes to zoning will occur through an amendment to the Local Environmental Plan, which will happen at a later stage. Council encourages those property owners to leave feedback on the draft master plan, their feedback will be considered before the master plan is finalised. Any future development on the affected properties will need the involvement of the landowners.

Council is offering a number of different ways to leave feedback about the master plan once the exhibition commences. To find out more and have your say:

• Visit: https://yoursay.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/mortdale-centre-master-plan 
• Read the master plan in full, as well as other supporting documents
• Join a webinar where you can hear from Council’s strategic planning team and ask questions. Prior registration is essential, webinar times are:
• Tuesday 10 August - 6.30 pm
• Wednesday 11 August - 6.30 pm
• Leave feedback quickly through Council’s survey about the master plan
• Read a hard copy of the plans at Council’s customer service centres or selected libraries. Customers are advised to call ahead to make a booking to view the material. 
• Penshurst Branch Library (Phone: 9330 6422)
• Hurstville Library and Service Centre (Phone: 9330 6111)
• Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah (Phone: 9330 9527)
• If you wish to make a submission on the master plan, you may comment via:
  • Online: https://yoursay.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/mortdale-centre-master-plan
  • Email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au 
  • In writing to: The General Manager, Georges River Council, PO Box 205, Hurstville BC 1481 
  • Please quote "No. SF21/3419 - Mortdale Master Plan" in your submission
  • Any submissions received are considered public, however, a person may request to have their personal details suppressed. If you make a submission and have made political donations or gifts, a political donations and gifts disclosure statement must be completed.

Once the draft master plan has been exhibited, all submissions will be reviewed and final changes will be made to the plan. After which the final plan will be presented to the Councillors, who will formally consider the final master plan for adoption.  

If you would like to speak about the master plan and related matters in more detail, please call the Council’s Strategic Planning team on 9330 6211 or join one of our Webinar sessions.