The North Sydney Record

Two planning proposals that could reshape Neutral Bay went before North Sydney Council's public forum on 13 April 2026. Residents and applicants spoke on proposals for 41-53 Grosvenor Street and 27-37 Bydown Street.

Tim Atkins, speaking for the owners, told the forum the Grosvenor Street proposal was not simply about extra height. He said it would deliver a new public plaza, underground public parking and public domain upgrades, and that those benefits relied on development capacity because they do not fund themselves.

A resident who addressed the forum remotely raised concerns about adjoining homes.

On 27-37 Bydown Street, resident Katya Peters spoke in support of the planning proposal. She said the community had sought an independent heritage assessment of the site for many years, going back to the 2019 Military Road Corridor Planning Study, and thanked councillors for applying an interim heritage order.

"the community has been seeking an independent heritage assessment of the site for many years"

Another speaker, Mr Kinnamont, opposed the Bydown Street proposal. He said the site lacks the significance for local listing and that blocking a net increase of 19 dwellings under Housing CEP legislation contradicts the goal of concentrating density in a well-serviced area.

The forum also heard calls for a roundtable working group on the impact of hoon cars on residents of North Sydney, Kirribilli, Milsons Point, Lavender Bay, McMahons Point and beyond. Allison Handman described being woken at all hours despite earplugs and closed doors and windows, and said police carry out only occasional enforcement.

The public forum concluded and the meeting was to resume at 7pm.