St Francis Xavier Parish Renewal, Lavender Bay SSDA

Project overview

In partnership with St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia, the Parish of our Lady of the Way are planningto redevelop the Lavender Bay site (1-19 Mackenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road) into a vibrant Catholic precinct that respects its heritage and serves the community for generations.

The State significant development application is on exhibition until 23 September 2026 on the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPHI) Major Projects Hub on the NSW Planning Portal. The exhibition provides an opportunity for the community to have their say through a formal submission. During the exhibition period, anyone can make a submission on the project. All submissions for state significant projects must be made through the NSW Planning Portal. You can find a link in the 'Links' section on the right-hand side of this webpage.

The renewal will restore and enhance the church and historic buildings, add new parish facilities, and deliver affordable rental housing for key workers, vulnerable people and those in crisis.

With improved public spaces, safer connections, and a design that complements the site’s history, this renewal will create a welcoming place of worship, support and community life in the heart of North Sydney.

The proposed renewal will also include:

180+ residential dwellings, of which, 50+ will be affordable housing dwellings managed by St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia CHP
Through-site links to North Sydney Station Plaza (owned by Zurich Australia)
Retail-activated landscape square surrounding St Francis Xavier Catholic Church (heritage item)
Undergrounding of current surface-grade carparking.

This proposal directly responds to the core objective of the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) by delivering affordable and market housing in a well-located area.The HDA is a NSW Government body created in late 2024 to help boost the supply of housing in response to State and Federal housing targets. It plays a central role in accelerating major residential developments by streamlining assessment processes and enabling faster decision-making at the state level.

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia and the Parish of Our Lady of the Way havecommissioned HillPDA to answer your questions. HillPDA cannot accept official submissions on the project during the exhibition period. These must be submitted to DPHI using the link in the 'Links' section on the right-hand side of this webpage.

Project facts

	Construction management A Construction and Traffic Management Plan will be prepared prior to construction to carefully manage adverse construction-related impacts including noise, traffic, and air quality. The proposal intends to minimise these impacts to the surrounding area.
	Traffic A Transport Impact Assessment has been prepared to support the application, which will ensure a safe and efficient access arrangement from and to the site, aimed to minimise any adverse impacts on the surounding area.
	Parking On site parking for motor vehicles and bicycles is proposed to be located within the building in accordance with the planning controls.
	Building form The design has been carefully refined to respond to the surrounding built form, taking cues from the height and density of the site’s existing and future context.
	Affordable housing The Concept Proposal will provide a minimum of 25% of the residential GFA as affordable housing to be managed by St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia, supporting more inclusive housing outcomes. St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia is a Tier 1 not for profit Community Housing Provider with proven track record in delivering and managing affordable housing.
	Access and location The site is strategically located adjacent the North Sydney Train Station in an established urban area. The Parish and St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has been in dialogue with both adjoining land holders (Aqualand and Zurich) to explore activation opportunity of the precinct, including the Parish lands, and provide critical north/south linkages from North Sydney Train Station to the south.
	Infrastructure capacity An assessment of the social infrastructure needs (schools, open space and services) created by the proposal is provided within the EIS.