A large-scale housing development in Mosman has been fast-tracked following the amalgamation of two key sites on Military Road into a single residential proposal.
Major Residential Project Approved Outside Local Process
Developers have moved ahead with plans to construct 107 apartments in Mosman, bypassing local authorities’ processes by securing State Significant Development (SSD) status for a combined 3,207 square metre site.
The project joins two properties—494–500 Military Road, home to Honeysuckle Garden nursery, and 516 Military Road, previously occupied by Midas Tyre and Auto Service—into a single development site with four street frontages.
The SSD designation was granted on 12 June 2025, placing the project under the assessment of the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA), an agency formed in late 2024 to accelerate large-scale residential approvals.
Development Plans and Features
The proposed development will consist of a building up to eight storeys in height, delivering 107 apartments, with 3% allocated for affordable housing. Both existing businesses on the site are set to be demolished.
The HDA will manage the assessment process, which includes the release of architectural designs, a community feedback stage, and a final decision expected within 275 days of the declaration.
Community Response Highlights Mixed Views
Public response has varied, with some residents welcoming increased housing in the area, while others have expressed concerns over the loss of local businesses and strain on infrastructure.
Comments have referenced the long-standing presence of Honeysuckle Nursery and the community garden behind it, which many hope will be preserved or relocated. Others cited traffic congestion on Military Road, the impact on schools, and reduced access to local services as key issues.
Some community members noted the existing pressures on public transport and lack of additional infrastructure planning to support the proposed increase in residents.
Council Reaction and Concerns
Local representatives have raised issues regarding the pace of development approvals and the exclusion of council input. Concerns were raised about potential overdevelopment, inadequate infrastructure modelling, and community consultation timeframes.
The site forms part of broader changes introduced through updated Low and Mid-Rise (LMR) planning controls. Within one week, over half of Mosman’s five-year housing target of 500 new dwellings has been proposed under these reforms.
What Happens Next
The HDA will carry out the next steps, including consultation, assessment of the proposal’s compliance, and a final ruling. Mosman authorities are reviewing the development’s potential impacts but does not hold final approval authority.
The community remains divided, with the future of the community garden and traffic concerns among the unresolved issues as planning progresses.
Published 14-July-2025