Mona Vale town centre is set to undergo a major housing transformation, with updated planning rules allowing mid‑rise apartments, townhouses, and terraces closer to shops and transport hubs. The changes aim to guide development so that new homes fit with the suburb’s established character while increasing housing options for the community.
Read: A New Chapter for Mona Vale: Mid-Rise Housing Near the Town Centre
Under the Low and Mid‑Rise Housing (LMRH) Policy, developers can build medium‑density housing—such as six‑storey apartment blocks—within 400 metres of town centres or transport hubs. In areas within 800 metres, four‑storey apartments and other multi‑dwelling housing types like terraces and townhouses are permitted. The policy could affect more than 11,000 properties across the Northern Beaches.
Mona Vale is one of nine nominated centres in the Northern Beaches for the LMRH policy, alongside Dee Why, Forestville, Manly, Manly Vale, Balgowlah Village, Warringah Mall, Forestway Shopping Centre and the Frenchs Forest precinct. Properties within 400 metres of Mona Vale’s town centre can now be developed up to six‑storeys and 24 metres in height; within 800 metres, up to four storeys.
In September 2025, the local planning controls (Development Control Plans) were amended to reflect this reform. The updated rules set clearer standards for design, sustainability, landscaping, building setbacks and compatibility with neighbouring streetscapes, with the aim of guiding how new developments will proceed.
While the reforms open up new housing opportunities, some community figures have expressed concern. One prominent local councillor said that the density increases could “change the Northern Beaches forever” unless infrastructure and services are upgraded in advance. A state MP also argued that planning decisions should be local rather than a “one size fits all” government policy.
For the town centre of Mona Vale, the September 2025 changes mark a crucial juncture. New housing types will become possible closer to shops and transport, offering broader choice for renters, downsizers and younger people. But the success of growth will depend heavily on whether new development maintains the amenity, look and feel of the area.
Read: Mona Vale Centre Selected for New Housing Developments
As the region enters this next chapter, Mona Vale must navigate combining housing supply with preserving what makes the suburb special—its scale, landscape, and community character.
Published 29-October-2025
