Mona Vale is set to undergo significant change following the approval of new planning rules that allow for buildings up to six storeys high within close proximity to its town centre.
Read: Mona Vale Centre Selected for New Housing Developments
This forms part of NSW’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, which aims to unlock 112,000 new homes across the state over the next five years.
The policy, which came into effect on 28 February 2025, changes what can be built in areas within 800 metres—or roughly a 10-minute walk—of key town centres and transport hubs. In Mona Vale, this means that low and mid-rise housing types such as terraces, townhouses, and apartment buildings will be permitted in designated residential zones.
Within this radius, R2 low-density residential zones will allow for 2–3 storey buildings such as townhouses and terraces, introducing greater housing variety to what has traditionally been a suburb dominated by detached homes. In R3 medium-density zones, the changes allow for apartment buildings up to six storeys within 400 metres of the town centre, and up to four storeys between 400 and 800 metres.
These changes are designed to support housing growth in well-located areas near shops, services and public transport, easing pressure on housing affordability and reducing urban sprawl. Development will still need to meet design and amenity standards, including requirements for car parking, light access, and lot size, with clear benchmarks to guide approvals.
While some parts of the Northern Beaches have been excluded from the broader rollout of this policy due to environmental risks, Mona Vale’s flood-prone status has not prevented its inclusion. The suburb has long struggled with drainage and creek flooding, but is now earmarked as a key site for housing growth given its infrastructure, town centre, and transport access.
The shift could reshape Mona Vale’s character over time, introducing more diverse housing options and potentially more residents. However, the rules do not override all local controls—councils will continue to assess key elements of proposed developments, aiming to strike a balance between growth and liveability.
Read: Mona Vale Roads to Slow Down with New Safety Changes
With construction expected to follow swiftly after the changes come into effect, residents and developers alike will be watching closely as Mona Vale enters a new phase of urban evolution.
Published 14-May-2025
