A proposed new Woollahra train station could anchor thousands of new homes, more open space and improved walkways under a new draft plan.
The New South Wales government has released a draft redevelopment plan for Woollahra and Edgecliff, potentially providing up to 9,400 new homes.
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The draft rezoning plan could create up to 9,400 new homes in Woollahra and Edgecliff. Image: NSW Government
The plan covers 168 hectares in Sydney’s east and sets out how the area could transform over the next 20 years, planning new homes, jobs, open space and walking and cycling connections around public transport.
The proposal comes as the New South Wales government plans for Sydney to be home to at least 800,000 additional homes and 950,000 more jobs by 2046. The state’s Sydney Plan envisages more housing in established areas in the east that are close to jobs, public transport and essential services, while identifying western Sydney as a key focus for economic growth.
The Woollahra and Edgecliff plan follows NSW Premier Chris Minns’ announcement in August 2025 that the state would finally complete the abandoned Woollahra train station and rezone the area to increase residential density. The facility was partially built in the 1970s before being abandoned due to community pressure.
The new local plan focuses on the existing Edgecliff station and a planned new Woollahra station, which the government expects to become operational in 2029. Woollahra station would connect to the T4 Eastern Suburbs Line, with a journey to the Sydney CBD expected to take around eight minutes.
The most significant residential development would be concentrated around the two stations, with building heights of up to 34 storeys proposed around Edgecliff Station and up to 32 storeys around Woollahra Station.
According to the New South Wales government, up to 40% of new homes would be within 200 meters of a train station.
Mr Minns said established suburbs needed to make a fair contribution to Sydney’s housing growth.
“Over the last decade we have asked a small number of communities to drive the lion’s share of Sydney’s housing growth, while other parts of the city have seen little change,” he said.
“We cannot push all of Sydney’s growth further west and to the urban fringe while established suburbs close to jobs, transport and services are excluded from new housing.
“We are not asking Woollahra to solve the housing crisis alone. We are asking Woollahra to play its fair share, just as we ask communities across Sydney to do the same.”
What does the plan include?
The proposal includes approximately 3.5 acres of new and enhanced open space in 13 parks, a new Edgecliff plaza and up to nine kilometers of hiking and biking trails.
A representation of what the plans could look like. Image: NSW Government
According to the government, 95% of new homes would be within 400 meters of at least 3,000 square meters of open space. It is also committed to preventing any net loss of total tree canopy in the district.
The plan calls for studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with at least 3% of the total apartments set aside for affordable housing. At certain locations, this proportion could permanently increase to up to 15%.
New developments would be supported by expanding road, water and electricity networks. The proposal would see local public schools have capacity for additional students, while cultural assets would be preserved and integrated into the future area.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the area was “rich in housing opportunities that have been locked away for far too long”.
“The proposal is consistent with the objectives of the recently released Sydney Plan and Sydney’s long-term growth, supporting a growing housing supply in the east close to jobs, transport, services and green spaces, while accelerating job growth in the west,” Mr Scully said.
A value capture fee would help finance the new station. The development within 800 meters of Woollahra train station would be subject to a proposed contribution of $15,000 per dwelling or $200 per square meter of new gross commercial floor area, payable by the developer.
The draft plan will be open to the public from September 8th to October 7th, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Feedback can be submitted via the NSW planning portal.
Drop-in sessions will be held at The Lawns of Double Bay between September 17th and 29th.
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