Chatswood Golf Club Enters New Chapter With 12-Hole Course and Seniors Living Precinct

A long-running Chatswood golf site has been reshaped into Newgreens Chatswood Golf Club, where a former 18-hole course now sits at the centre of a broader precinct built around shorter play, seniors living, dining, wellness and events.



A Historic Chatswood Club Takes a Different Shape

For 71 years, Chatswood Golf Club was known as a traditional golf course tucked into Beaconsfield Road. Its new form keeps golf on the site, but changes how the place is used.

The former 18-hole course has been redeveloped into a par-44, 12-hole layout, described as Australia’s first purpose-built 12-hole golf course. The format is designed for players who may not have the time for a full 18-hole round, which can take four to five hours.

The change followed a 2020 decision by the club to allow a retirement village redevelopment on its land. At the time, the club had faced pressure from slowing participation in golf and reliance on one revenue stream. The redevelopment was pursued as a way to strengthen the club’s long-term financial position while keeping golf at the centre of the site.

Newgreens Chatswood Brings Golf Back In A Shorter Format

Newgreens Chatswood Golf Club opens to the public on Sunday, 31 May, with tee times available throughout the day.

The opening program, called “12 Moments of Time Well Spent”, will run from 6am to 6pm. It is built around the 12-hole format, with activities planned across the day including morning coffee, breakfast offerings, midday refreshments, live music, cake and afternoon dining and drinks.

Selected early bird tee times include $12 green fees. Golfers taking part in the launch can also join the Lucky Ball Wall promotion, where each player draws a numbered ball before tee-off for a guaranteed prize. Rewards include food, drinks, complimentary rounds, merchandise and club memberships.

The shorter format gives the site a different rhythm. Instead of asking players to commit most of a day to a round, the new course is aimed at time-poor players, families, social golfers, younger players and people new to the sport.

Chatswood Golf Club
Photo Credit: Newgreens Chatswood/Facebook

Seniors Living and New Facilities Reshape The Site

The golf course is part of a larger redevelopment of the former Chatswood Golf Club land. The old clubhouse and carpark on the eastern edge of the course were demolished to make way for retirement living buildings of up to five levels.

The serviced self-care units are funded and operated by joint-venture partners Watermark Living and Pariter, with apartments overlooking the course.

A separate four-storey clubhouse has also been delivered as part of the project. Funded by Watermark under a 150-year lease arrangement with the club, the clubhouse can be used by village residents and includes a gym and heated hydrotherapy pool.

The wider Newgreens Chatswood precinct also includes group fitness, allied health facilities, conference and event areas, a ballroom, boardroom and 26-seat theatre.

Dining, Wellness and Events Add A Wider Role

Newgreens Chatswood now reaches beyond golf. Dodici Italian Restaurant and Tempo Cafe & Bistro are open to the public, while the site also promotes wedding, corporate and social event spaces.

The precinct sits in a leafy Chatswood valley overlooking the Lane Cove River, close to Chatswood CBD. Its public offering now includes golf memberships, tee times, dining, wellness facilities and scheduled events.

For the historic club, the redevelopment marks more than a change in course length. It turns a traditional golf site into a wider community precinct while keeping the game as its anchor.



The former Chatswood Golf Club has not disappeared. It has been rebuilt around a shorter course, new facilities and a broader model designed to support the site’s future.

Published 14-May-2026

Cartier Opens Chatswood Boutique Inside Chatswood Chase

Cartier has opened a new boutique at Chatswood Chase in Chatswood, bringing its jewellery, watchmaking, bridal, leather goods, fragrance and accessories collections into the shopping centre’s redeveloped luxury precinct.



Cartier Arrives On Level One In Chatswood

The new Cartier boutique is located on Level One of Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre at 345 Victoria Avenue. Its opening gives Cartier a third Sydney location, joining its George Street flagship and its boutique at Sydney International Airport.

The Chatswood Chase boutique was officially announced as open on 8 May 2026. Cartier recommends appointments before visiting, noting that walk-in clients may experience extended wait times.

The new store adds another international luxury retailer to the centre’s luxury precinct following Chatswood Chase’s $625 million redevelopment. The 18-month project concluded late last year and was linked to a projection that the centre would regularly exceed 500,000 weekend visitors.

 Chatswood Chase
Photo Credit: Chatswood Chase/Facebook

Sydney Details Shape The Chatswood Boutique

The boutique’s design draws from Sydney’s harbour, sandstone and changing morning light, giving the space a local visual reference while maintaining Cartier’s refined retail style.

At the entrance, a canopy ceiling by Australian atelier DiEmme uses lines of light arranged to suggest the glow of early morning across the harbour. Inside, the boutique centres on an oil-on-panel work by Parisian designer François Mascarello.

The design brings together craft elements from beyond Australia while tying the store’s atmosphere to Sydney’s natural and architectural character. The result is a boutique that presents Cartier through both its global design language and its Chatswood setting.

The 406sqm Cartier Chatswood boutique includes jewellery, watchmaking, bridal pieces, leather goods, fragrance and accessories.Two private salons form part of the boutique, giving clients a more intimate setting for viewing selected pieces.

Cartier Chatswood
Photo Credit: Chatswood Chase/Facebook

Chatswood Chase Expands Its Luxury Precinct

Chatswood Chase is operated by Vicinity Centres, and the Cartier opening forms part of the centre’s broader luxury retail offering after its redevelopment.



The new boutique gives Cartier a presence in Chatswood while extending its Sydney footprint beyond George Street and Sydney International Airport. The opening adds a high-profile luxury maison to a precinct already shaped around premium retail, design and client services.

Published 10-May-2026

Chatswood to House Sky-High Dog Park in New Vertical Community

Chatswood will be the site of a 46-storey vertical community featuring a dedicated dog park on the 23rd level to serve the growing number of apartment residents with pets.



Following the green light from the NSW Independent Planning Commission, the project at 410-416 Victoria Avenue is moving forward. Developed by Novus, the 163-million-dollar skyscraper is a build-to-rent development, meaning the 260 apartments are designed specifically for long-term tenants rather than for individual sale. This model aims to provide more stable housing options within the local area. 

The decision came after the community shared feedback during public consultations regarding the building’s height and how construction might affect the busy pedestrian zones and local markets nearby.

A Backyard in the Sky

Dog Park
Photo Credit: SSD-63324208

The most distinctive feature of the plan is the semi-enclosed dog park located halfway up the tower. Sitting on level 23, this space will offer grassy lawns and sand pits, allowing pets to exercise and play without their owners needing to travel to ground level. 

Positioned to look out over the skyline, the area is intended to be a social spot where neighbours can meet and chat while their dogs socialise. This design addresses the specific needs of city dwellers who want the convenience of a high-rise home without giving up the outdoor benefits of a traditional backyard.

All-in-One Vertical Living

Designed by Fender Katsalidis, the building is meant to function as a “vertical community” where residents can live, work, and exercise in one place. The ground floor will feature a concierge to handle mail and a lobby for residents. Just above the street level, a wellness area will include a pool, gym, and spa. 

To help those who work remotely, the 43rd floor will house a dedicated “Work Club” and sky lounge. By stacking these lifestyle zones, the project tries to bring the variety of a typical neighbourhood into a single tall structure.

Connecting to the Suburb

Dog Park
Photo Credit: SSD-63324208

Located only steps away from the Chatswood Transport Interchange, the tower is designed for people who rely on trains, buses, and the metro. This central location places residents within walking distance of major shopping centres like Westfield and local cultural spots like the Concourse. 

The mix of apartment sizes—ranging from small studios to larger three-bedroom units—is intended to attract a diverse group of people, from single professionals to small families, all looking to live in the heart of the suburb.



Future of the Local Skyline

This project is the second major rental-only development for Novus in the area, following a similar project on Albert Avenue. While the new tower will change the local skyline, it is being built with environmental goals in mind, aiming to meet specific energy and water efficiency targets. As the suburb continues to grow, this “mini-city” approach reflects a shift toward high-density living where convenience and resident services are the main priorities.

Published Date 22-April-2026

Waitara Cathedral Vision Connects Diocese Communities Including Chatswood

A quiet site in Waitara is at the centre of a proposal that could reshape Catholic life across Sydney’s north shore, with a new cathedral precinct planned to serve the Diocese of Broken Bay, including communities such as Chatswood.



A Site Framed For A Rare Development

Announced in April 2026, the proposal outlines a 7.7-hectare precinct in Waitara designed to bring together worship, community life and diocesan functions in a single setting. The development has been described as the first Roman Catholic cathedral precinct in Australia to be masterplanned from inception in more than a century, placing it in a category rarely seen in the country’s modern history.

Positioned within the Diocese of Broken Bay, the precinct is intended to serve a network of 26 parishes across the North Shore, Northern Beaches and Central Coast. Within that network are communities such as Chatswood, linking the suburb to the broader reach of the Waitara project.

From Parish Network To Central Hub

Established in 1986, the Diocese of Broken Bay supports around 250,000 Catholics across its regions. While individual parishes continue to operate locally, the Waitara precinct is planned as a centralised location where multiple aspects of diocesan life converge.

For communities including Chatswood, the connection to Waitara is not geographic but structural. The proposed precinct is intended to function at a diocesan level, bringing together administration, pastoral care, outreach and education within a single coordinated environment.

Beyond A Cathedral: A Working Precinct

The development moves beyond the idea of a single cathedral building. Plans incorporate education facilities, community services, a parish hall, a pastoral centre, diocesan offices and residences for clergy, forming a broader environment shaped around both religious and community use.

Public-facing elements are also part of the design, with a forecourt, café and bookshop intended to introduce daily activity into the site. The inclusion of welfare and support services reflects a model where religious, social and administrative functions operate alongside one another.

Waitara cathedral precinct
Photo Credit: Pexels

Design Grounded In Landscape And Material

The architectural approach draws on the surrounding environment, with references to the Hawkesbury River informing the overall concept. Timber framing and sandstone structures are proposed to reflect local landscapes of forest, rock and water.

An existing blue gum forest within the site is planned to be retained, while rooftop gardens are intended to support biodiversity. Together, these elements position the precinct within its natural setting rather than apart from it.

A Project Shaped By Process And Time

The proposal is expected to proceed through planning approval, with construction timing dependent on regulatory processes and funding raised through church-led initiatives and dedicated appeals. The project is set to evolve over several years as these stages unfold.



For Waitara, the site marks the centre of a development defined by its scale and long-term purpose. For communities such as Chatswood, its relevance lies in its role within the wider structure of the Diocese of Broken Bay, linking local parish life to a centralised precinct still in planning.

Published 20-Apr-2026

Chatswood Welcomes Books Kinokuniya’s First New Australian Store in Decades

Books Kinokuniya has opened a new store in Chatswood, marking its second Australian location and its first local expansion in decades at Westfield Chatswood.



A New Chapter For Chatswood Readers

A long-established international bookseller has arrived in Chatswood, bringing a broad literary offering to Sydney’s North Shore. The new Books Kinokuniya store at Westfield Chatswood officially opened on Thursday, 9 April, representing a rare expansion for the retailer, which has maintained a single Australian presence for many years.

The Chatswood opening follows the company’s initial arrival in Australia in the 1990s, when its first store launched in Neutral Bay before relocating to a central Sydney site in 2002. That flagship location continues to operate, holding an extensive catalogue of more than 300,000 titles.

Now, the addition of the Chatswood store signals a renewed local footprint for the global retailer, which operates more than 140 stores worldwide.

Books Kinokuniya
Photo Credit: Google Maps

Inside The Chatswood Store Experience

The Chatswood store introduces a curated mix of Australian and international titles, alongside a strong focus on Japanese and Chinese literature. Shelves also feature manga, children’s books, and a range of stationery and culturally themed products associated with Japanese popular culture.

The collection has been tailored to suit the diverse Chatswood community while maintaining the brand’s established identity. The store is designed to offer a welcoming space centred on discovery, creativity, and connection.

Positioned on Level 5 of Westfield Chatswood, the location reflects the area’s reputation as a vibrant and active hub.

Opening Draws Strong Local Interest

On opening day, customers gathered early to explore the new space, reflecting strong interest in the arrival of the bookstore. Additional launch activities were scheduled during the opening period, including a children’s storytelling event on Saturday, 12 April tied to a book release.

Community response has continued beyond the initial launch, with online engagement highlighting enthusiasm for the store and calls for further expansion into other cities. Requests for additional locations, particularly in Melbourne and other major centres, have been widely shared.

Westfield Chatswood
Photo Credit: Google Maps

A Rare Expansion With More To Come

The Chatswood opening marks the first new Australian store for Books Kinokuniya in decades, positioning the location as a significant step in the company’s local presence.

The retailer, originally founded in 1927, has built an international reputation for its multilingual collections and expansive range. Plans for further expansion have been indicated, with another Australian location expected to open later in the year.



For Chatswood, the arrival of the bookstore adds a new cultural destination, reinforcing the area’s role as a centre for diverse and creative communities.

Published 16-Apr-2026

Lindfield Learning Village’s Shift Leaves Some Families Uncertain

When one family moved from Sydney’s Northern Beaches to the North Shore, the decision was shaped by a single school. Lindfield Learning Village stood apart. It did not follow many of the conventions of a typical public school. There was no fixed uniform, no bells marking the day, and learning was built around projects rather than strict subject lines. For this parent, that difference was the point. Now, just over a year later, the school is changing.



A Different Kind of School

Lindfield Learning Village opened in 2019 with a model that challenged traditional schooling. Students progressed based on learning stages rather than age, worked across subjects in long-term projects, and addressed teachers by their first names. A flexible “multiform” replaced standard uniforms.

The approach drew interest from families across Sydney. Many enrolled because they were looking for something less rigid, but still grounded in strong teaching.

The school’s academic results have strengthened over time. Recent HSC outcomes placed it among the top-performing public comprehensive schools in New South Wales, with a growing number of students achieving high marks.

For families already at the school, those results reinforced their choice.

A New Direction

Under principal Ben Rekic, who took on the role in late 2024, the school is moving toward a more conventional structure.

The name will change to Lindfield College. A compulsory uniform will be introduced. Students across all year levels will receive formal report cards, and parent-teacher meetings will become a regular part of the school calendar.

L to R: Inaugural Lindfield College school captains, Matthew Harman and Perryn Herran; TAS teacher and Student Leadership Coordinator, Jacki Smith; and Principal, Ben Rekic
Photo Credit: NSW Education

The principal has said the school now identifies as a public comprehensive school rather than an alternative model. The aim is to provide clearer systems while keeping parts of the existing learning approach.

“Our new school plan reinforces our commitment to student voice and input, including the establishment of student leadership structures. This will empower students to contribute meaningfully and translate their ideas into action,” Mr Rekic said in a media statement.

Some elements will remain. Students will still call teachers by their first names, and project-based learning will continue alongside more traditional classroom methods. The campus will also stay bell-free, though practical adjustments such as additional clocks are planned.

A Community Split

For the parent who raised concerns to this publication, the issue is not just the changes themselves, but how they have come about.

They said many families chose the school for its original approach and feel that their views have not been fully reflected in the decisions. According to the parent, there was strong feedback from parts of the community against the uniform and name change, but the outcome did not shift. At the same time, the broader school community is not unified in its views.

“We were shocked to discover that the new leadership team at the school do not share our enthusiasm for the school they lead. There is a significant number of parents at the school who do not feel that they have been consulted adequately,” the parent said.

Survey findings suggest that current families generally feel supported and positive about the learning environment. However, some prospective families—particularly those who may soon fall within the school’s catchment—have expressed uncertainty about features such as the lack of a traditional uniform.

These differing expectations appear to be shaping the school’s next phase.

Beyond One School

The changes at Lindfield Learning Village are also tied to wider shifts in the area. Planned adjustments to local enrolment zones are expected to bring more in-area families into the school over the coming years, with full changes set to take effect later this decade.

As that transition unfolds, the school will serve a broader cross-section of the community. With that comes a need to balance different ideas of what a public school should look like.

For some families, that balance is already shifting. The parent said it is difficult to reconcile the scale of the changes with the school’s recent success. The concern is less about any single policy and more about whether the school will remain the place they originally chose.



Published 31-March-2026

Kinokuniya To Open New Bookstore In Chatswood

Books Kinokuniya is set to open a new bookstore in Chatswood, marking its first new Australian location since the 1990s.



A Long-Awaited Arrival In Chatswood

Books Kinokuniya will open a new store at Westfield Chatswood, bringing the internationally recognised Japanese bookstore chain to Sydney’s North Shore. The opening represents a rare expansion for the retailer in Australia.

The grand opening is scheduled for Thursday, 9 April, beginning at 10 a.m., with giveaways and special promotions planned for visitors.

Sydney bookstore
Photo Credit: Kinokuniya/Instagram

First Expansion Since The 1990s

The Chatswood location is the company’s first new Australian branch since its original Neutral Bay store opened in 1996. That store later relocated to The Galeries in Sydney’s CBD in 2002, where it continues to operate.

Kinokuniya operates more than 140 stores worldwide and is recognised as the largest bookstore chain in Japan. Its stores are known for carrying a wide selection of books across multiple genres and languages.

Westfield Chatswood
Photo Credit: Kinokuniya/Instagram

What Readers Can Expect Inside

The Chatswood store is expected to offer a curated range of Australian and international titles, alongside Japanese and Chinese books, manga, and children’s literature. The retailer is also known for stocking stationery and products linked to Japanese popular culture.

The collection will be tailored to suit the local community while maintaining the broader selection associated with the brand.

Chatswood Positioned As A Cultural Destination

The location has been identified as a suitable setting due to its diverse and active community. The store is intended to provide a welcoming environment focused on discovery, creativity, and connection.

Kinokuniya Chatswood
Photo Credit: Kinokuniya/Instagram

Opening Week Brings Extra Events

In addition to the opening day promotions, further activities have been scheduled during the launch period. A featured event on Saturday, 12 April at 11 a.m. will include a storytelling session and activities hosted by authors Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove, tied to their children’s book release.

This event forms part of the broader opening celebrations at the Chatswood store.

Community Interest Builds Ahead Of Launch

Online responses indicate strong interest ahead of the opening, with many expressing plans to visit the new store. Some responses also call for expansion into other cities, though no additional locations have been confirmed.

What Happens Next For Chatswood



The new Kinokuniya store is set to open on Thursday, 9 April at Westfield Chatswood, with its grand opening event starting at 10 a.m. The launch marks a new phase for the retailer’s presence in Australia, with Chatswood becoming its latest location.

Published 27-Mar-2026

Chatswood Luxury Apartments Planned At Retail Precinct

Vicinity Centres has outlined plans for 480 luxury apartments in Chatswood as part of a broader expansion into residential development alongside its retail assets.



Chatswood Chase Residential Project

The apartments are proposed next to Chatswood Chase, which is being redeveloped into a combined retail and residential destination.

Vicinity said it is in the later stages of designing the Chatswood Chase residential component. The first stage of the redevelopment opened last October, and the new luxury precinct is on track to open this year.

The Chatswood luxury apartments project forms part of a wider strategy that includes residential proposals attached to existing retail centres.

Chatswood Chase redevelopment
Photo Credit: Pexels

Bankstown Proposal Also Flagged

In addition to Chatswood, more than 1,500 apartments are planned at Bankstown Central. The Bankstown project is at an earlier stage of development than the Chatswood proposal.

The residential plans were announced alongside the company’s first-half financial results.

Financial Performance And Portfolio Activity

Vicinity Centres reported first-half profit of $805.6 million, up from $492.6 million in the first half of 2025, reflecting increased net income from its malls.

Funds From Operations rose 1.3 per cent to 7.66 cents per security and were up 4.1 per cent after adjusting for one-off costs.

Specialty and mini-major sales increased 5.1 per cent during the half, with leasing spreads recorded at 4.6 per cent and average annual escalators at 4.7 per cent.

Chatswood luxury apartments
Photo Credit: Pexels

The group also confirmed plans for a redevelopment at Uptown in Brisbane, with a revamp valued at up to $350 million focused on retail, dining and entertainment. A series of smaller centres were sold during the period.

Vicinity expects FFO per security and Adjusted FFO per security to be around the top end of guidance ranges of 15 to 15.2 cents and 12.8 to 13 cents respectively. Shares were flat at $2.57 in early afternoon trade.



The Chatswood luxury apartments proposal represents a shift toward mixed-use development tied to established retail precincts.

Published 23-Feb-2026

Panorama Building In Chatswood Faces Demolition Under Tower Redevelopment Plan

A 1970s commercial tower in Chatswood, known as the Panorama Building, is facing demolition under a proposal to replace it with a significantly taller high-rise development.



Redevelopment Proposal And Scale

Plans lodged for the Chatswood site seek approval to demolish the existing building and construct a 61-storey tower rising about 263 metres. The proposal includes 506 apartments and would become the tallest structure in the suburb.

The existing building has experienced extended periods of low occupancy, a factor cited in support of redevelopment. The site’s location along the Pacific Highway provides access to transport, retail centres and nearby employment areas.

Chatswood Panorama Building
Photo Credit: Roberto Portolese/Skycraper Center

A 1970s Landmark In Chatswood

The Panorama Building, originally known as the BMA Tower, is located at 815 Pacific Highway. Designed by Hungarian-born modernist architect Hugo Stossel, the building was officially opened on October 16, 1972, following a construction period of about 14 months.

Standing 14 storeys and approximately 54 metres high, the building was the tallest in Chatswood at the time of its completion. Its curved façade and external glass lift became defining features, along with a rooftop restaurant that drew visitors throughout the 1970s and later decades.

Architectural Background And Design Context

Stossel trained in Europe before arriving in Australia in 1939. His later work in Sydney included modernist houses, apartment buildings and commercial projects, many of which reflected design approaches developed in Europe during the interwar period.

While the Panorama Building is frequently described as visually distinctive, architectural assessments have generally placed it outside Stossel’s strongest body of work. Other residential designs attributed to his practice have attracted closer attention in recent years.

Heritage Status And Comparative Assessments

The Panorama Building is not heritage listed and is not subject to a heritage protection order. Despite renewed attention, no formal heritage process has been initiated for the Chatswood site.

By contrast, several post-war residential buildings designed by Stossel in other Sydney suburbs have been identified through targeted heritage studies. Some of those buildings have been recommended for local heritage listing due to their architectural, historical and social significance.

Hugo Stossel
Photo Credit: Roberto Portolese/Skycraper Center

Community Response And Social Value

Public discussion around the Panorama Building has intensified following renewed attention on social media. Many former visitors have shared memories associated with the rooftop restaurant, the external lift ride and early dining experiences during the 1970s and 1980s.

Heritage specialists have noted that such responses highlight the social value of post-war buildings, even where architectural merit alone may not justify retention.

What Happens Next

Expert commentary has raised practical barriers to adaptive reuse, with the building described as difficult and costly to repurpose. The redevelopment proposal remains under consideration, with demolition widely viewed as likely if approval is granted.



If the project proceeds, the Panorama Building will be removed from Chatswood’s skyline, closing a chapter on one of the suburb’s most distinctive post-war commercial structures.

Published 6-Feb-2026

Crocodile Discovered in Chatswood West Backyard During Police Raid

Local residents in Chatswood West were left shocked after police discovered a juvenile Australian freshwater crocodile in a backyard on Hawthorne Avenue during a raid earlier this month.



North Shore Police Area Command officers attended the property on the evening of 3 January to investigate reports of a possible clandestine drug laboratory operating from the garage.

Upon arrival at 7pm, police spotted the scaly reptile in the rear yard of the residence, located less than one kilometre from the Lane Cove River.

The 44-year-old occupant of the home reportedly told officers he did not hold a licence or permit to keep the native animal. Australian freshwater crocodiles are typically found in northern regions of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

A North Shore Police Area Command spokesperson confirmed the crocodile was relocated by police following the discovery.

During subsequent searches of the property, officers allegedly found five replica gel-blaster firearms. These included one Glock-style gel-blaster pistol that fires small, water-filled polymer balls, along with four gel-blaster rifles.

The man has been charged with one count of dealing in, or attempting to deal in, a protected animal, four counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm, and one count of acquiring a firearm part without authority to do so.

He was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Hornsby Local Court on 3 February.

Police said enquiries into the alleged drug laboratory are continuing, though no drug-related charges have been laid at this stage.

“North Shore PAC would like to remind the public that it is illegal to own or possess a gel blaster gun in NSW without a valid firearms licence or permit,” the spokesperson said.



The unusual discovery has sparked conversation among local residents about exotic pet ownership and firearm regulations in suburban Sydney.

Published 30-January-2026