Housing Delivery Authority
fjcurban prepares the urban design case that brings major housing projects into the NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway. Since 2025, fifteen projects we have worked on have been recommended by the HDA for State Significant Development, with capacity for more than 6,800 homes across Sydney.
The HDA asks whether a site can take significantly more homes, and whether the proposal has strategic and site-specific merit. We answer with evidence: built form testing, height, overshadowing, solar access and public benefit, set out clearly for the Expression of Interest and carried through the SEARs request into the State Significant Development application. Our Housing Delivery Authority architecture page covers the detailed design of these projects.
60 Union Street, Pyrmont
A residential addition above an existing commercial building, with a concurrent rezoning, recommended by the Housing Delivery Authority for State Significant Development.
Our Urban Design Approach
Site Suitability
We test early whether a site can support the homes sought, from transport access and heritage to neighbours and landform. This gives the project’s planning consultant clear evidence of what the site can support, and helps the whole team agree the right scale and approach before time and money are committed.
Built Form Testing
Massing options for height, separation, overshadowing and solar access show what a site can carry. The preferred option sets the yield in the Expression of Interest. Testing options side by side makes the trade-offs between homes, amenity and neighbour impacts clear, so the scheme put forward is ambitious and supportable.
Strategic Merit
Each Expression of Interest links the proposal to housing targets, transport investment and centres planning, including concurrent rezonings. We show why the uplift suits the site. Working with the planning consultant, our urban design evidence explains how the scheme fits its context and supports the case for more homes in that location.
Public Benefit
Through-site links, open space, active ground floors and affordable housing are part of the case from the start. Affordable housing is tested against yield early. Public benefits are designed into the scheme rather than added later, so they strengthen both the proposal and the neighbourhood that will live with it.
Knowledge of Pathways
We work across the routes to State Significant Development for housing: the HDA, Transport Oriented Development, in-fill affordable housing and concurrent rezonings, alongside the planning consultants who lead each project’s planning strategy. This experience lets us prepare the design material that suits the pathway they choose.
Systems in Place
A dedicated residential focus team, standard HDA drawing sets, programme templates and a quality management system based on ISO 9001 keep each submission consistent and on time. These systems let us respond quickly when opportunities arise, and give clients and planning consultants confidence that every drawing and report meets the required standard.
From EOI to SSD
Our Expression of Interest work carries into the SEARs request, design excellence strategy and urban design report, so the scheme stays consistent from recommendation to assessment. Continuity of team and information avoids rework, keeps the design intent clear and helps each project move efficiently through the tight programmes of the HDA pathway.
Design Review
We engage early with design review panels and councils, and use their advice to test and strengthen each scheme before lodgement. Independent review is treated as part of our accountability to the public, and early feedback helps resolve design issues while they are still simple and inexpensive to address.
Projects Accepted into HDA Pathway
Projects recommended by the HDA for State Significant Development, with indicative homes as proposed at Expression of Interest.
| Project | Location | Description | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Edinburgh Road | Castlecrag | Two residential towers above a retail podium | 150 |
| 6-14 Mona Vale Road | Mona Vale | 14-storey residential flat building | 220 |
| 8-10 New McLean Street | Edgecliff | 18-storey residential development | 250 |
| Edgecliff Centre, 203-233 New South Head Road | Edgecliff | Redevelopment of the Edgecliff Centre with homes, retail and commercial floorspace, new public and open spaces, a community facility and improved connections to transport | 320 |
| Bennelong Cove | Wentworth Point | Two 50-storey towers with commercial uses and childcare | 1,200 |
| Chatswood Chase Residential | Chatswood | Two residential buildings with a through-site link to Chatswood Chase | 470 |
| Spring Quarter | Chatswood | Four buildings with commercial and retail space, through-site links and 3,600 sqm of open space | 760 |
| 815 Pacific Highway | Chatswood | Mixed-use tower with retail and commercial uses | 500 |
| 3 Halifax Street | Macquarie Park | Two residential towers of 45 and 46 storeys at Lachlan’s Line | 900 |
| 275 Alfred Street | North Sydney | 39-storey shop top housing tower | 175 |
| 5 Blue Street | North Sydney | Concurrent rezoning and redevelopment for shop top housing | 335 |
| 33-37 Herbert Street | St Leonards | Three residential towers with health services and retail | 300 |
| 60 Union Street | Pyrmont | Residential addition above an existing commercial building | 170 |
| Waterloo Precinct, Danks and Young Streets | Waterloo | Build-to-rent precinct of nine towers with retail, hospitality and communal open space | 826 |
| Royal Randwick Shopping Centre | Randwick | 13-storey building with three levels of commercial and community space | 237 |
For further information about our urban design capability in the HDA pathway, please enquire by email. You can also explore fjcurban and our HDA architecture work.