The proposal is being designed by BKA Architecture, a Sydney-based studio known for its thoughtful approach to design that puts users first. BKA brings extensive experience in delivering high-quality, community-focused projects across residential, educational, and civic sectors.

The proposal includes a commitment to affordable housing, with 15% of the building’s Gross Floor Area (GFA) dedicated to affordable rental homes. These homes will be managed by a registered community housing provider and will remain affordable for a period of 15 years, helping to support housing diversity and improve accessibility by providing lower‑cost rental options in the area.

Affordable housing is designed for people on low to moderate incomes, such as key workers (nurses, teachers, hospitality staff), and is rented at below‑market rates through a community housing provider.

Social housing is government‑subsidised housing for people on very low incomes or with complex needs.

This proposal includes affordable housing only.

The proposal has been identified as State Significant Development (SSD). Under recent amendments to the Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), residential developments that include at least 15% of the gross floor area as affordable housing and have an estimated development cost exceeding $75 million (in Greater Sydney) may qualify for the SSD pathway. This designation recognises the critical role of infill affordable housing in addressing housing supply and affordability challenges in well-located urban areas.

The SSD pathway enables a coordinated assessment process led by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. This process includes a public exhibition period and opportunities for community input.

The proposed apartments are build-to-sell, meaning they will be available for individual purchase rather than retained for long-term rental by a single owner or operator. A portion of the development (15% of the Gross Floor Area) will be dedicated to affordable rental housing, managed by a registered community housing provider for a period of 15 years.

The Wallumategal people and neighbouring Cammeraygal clans of the Dharug Nation are recognised as the traditional owners of this area of Killara.

A Connecting with Country report has been prepared by Artefact Heritage and Environment to explore how the proposal can respond to Country and incorporate Aboriginal cultural knowledge and values in its design.

As part of this process, a cultural tour at West Head in Ku‑ring‑gai Chase National Park, led by Uncle Laurie Bimson, was attended by members of the project team to deepen their understanding of local Country.

The completed Connecting with Country report will form part of the formal application and will be publicly available during DPHI’s exhibition period.

Heritage is a significant and valued aspect of the Ku‑ring‑gai area. To ensure a sensitive and informed design response, Edwards Heritage Consultants has been engaged to prepare a Heritage Impact Statement to assess potential impacts on nearby heritage items and provide recommendations to guide the design outcome.

The completed Heritage Impact Statement will be submitted as part of the formal application and will be publicly available during the exhibition period run by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

The project team is preparing studies to assess and minimise impacts on neighbouring properties, including Shadow Diagrams and a Visual Impact Assessment. The proposal will also follow the Apartment Design Guide (ADG) principles, which aim to optimise solar access and protect amenity for both future residents and neighbours.  

Due to the orientation of the site, early indications show that there is minimal overshadowing to existing neighbours and the Killara Golf Club continues to receive adequate solar access.  

The full Shadow Diagrams and Visual Impact Assessment will be submitted as part of the formal application and will be publicly available during the exhibition period run by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. 

The proposal includes onsite parking for residents to help reduce on-street parking pressure.  A Traffic Impact Assessment is also being prepared to understand how the proposed development may interact with the surrounding road network. This assessment will be submitted as part of the formal application and will be publicly available during the exhibition period run by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Bridgewell and SLD Development are committed to minimising construction impacts and being good neighbours throughout delivery. A Preliminary Construction Traffic (or Transport) Management Plan and Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment are being developed to identify potential impacts and outline mitigation measures. These reports will be submitted as part of the formal application and will be publicly available during the exhibition period run by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

After this pre‑lodgement engagement, the proposal will be finalised and submitted to DPHI. The target lodgement for the SSDA is early 2026. Subject to approvals, construction is estimated to commence in the first half of 2027, and project completion is estimated in the first half of 2029.