Tag: Chatswood Dive Site

School Plans Scrapped at Chatswood Dive Site Amid Community Infrastructure Concerns

A decision to abandon plans for a new school at the Chatswood Dive Site has sparked criticism from local and NSW officials, who say the move threatens to undermine years of strategic planning for the high-growth area.

Read: Chatswood Community Fights To Save Public Space At Dive Site

The Chatswood Dive Site had been earmarked as a rare parcel of government-owned land ideal for essential community infrastructure. Local officials argued that while there is sufficient land available to meet Chatswood’s growing residential needs, spaces suited for schools, parks, and other public facilities are increasingly scarce.

Photo credit: Peter Woodard/Google Maps

In the past two years, the Willoughby region has made room for an additional 12,000 dwellings, including 6,500 through the newly adopted Local Environmental Plan, plus further growth through state-led housing reforms and transit-oriented developments. More than 2,700 new homes are currently under assessment within the Chatswood CBD alone, with additional housing opportunities being actively pursued.

However, officials say the expected infrastructure to support this residential boom has not materialised. Chatswood High School is already at capacity, and Chatswood Public Primary School has limited space. They warn that without immediate planning for new education facilities, the area will be ill-equipped to accommodate the expected population surge.

Photo credit: willoughby.nsw.gov.au

“We are deeply disappointed to hear the government is backing out of its promise to deliver the critical infrastructure required in Chatswood. The Chatswood Dive Site is one of very few parcels of government owned land well suited to providing supporting infrastructure in a high growth location,” Willoughby City Council stated.

Read: Chatswood High Exceeds 2000 Enrolments Following Campus Upgrade

They also stressed that the Dive Site should serve a mix of community purposes—not just education, but also public recreation and green space—to relieve pressure on local amenities.

Local leaders are now calling on the State Government to reconsider its decision and clarify how it intends to provide the necessary infrastructure to support Willoughby’s growth.

Published 13-June-2025

Chatswood Community Fights To Save Public Space At Dive Site

Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council

A rare slice of land in the heart of Chatswood, once set aside for a new school and public open space, is now at risk of being repurposed without key community infrastructure, as calls grow for the state to commit to the original plans. With remediation already underway at the Chatswood Dive Site, locals fear the once-promised benefits may be slipping away while decisions are made behind closed doors.

Read: Chatswood’s Musical SWING Returns to The Concourse for Community Fun

Pressure Builds Over Lack Of Clarity

In April, Willoughby City Council called on the New South Wales Government to clarify the future of the Chatswood Dive Site, a former Sydney Metro site seen as ideal for new school and recreation facilities to support the area’s fast-growing population.

Photo Credit: AWI Steel Pty Ltd./Facebook

The Council was told only that remediation was underway and future use was still under review, sparking concern that plans for a school and park may be pushed aside.

Community Needs Take Centre Stage

Council leaders say the site is one of the last in Chatswood suitable for public use and are urging plans that balance housing growth with schools and green space, especially as thousands of new homes are expected in the area.

Photo Credit: Sydney Metro/Facebook

The Council is seeking clarity on whether public benefits will be kept, how locals will be heard, and when consultations will start, warning the chance to shape the site could be lost without answers.

Residents Voice Concerns Over Lost Opportunity

Chatswood residents have voiced frustration over the site’s unclear future, recalling earlier expectations for a school and community facilities. The school’s removal from plans has left many feeling shut out of a process they thought would be more open.

Photo Credit: Sydney Metro/Facebook

Council says it doesn’t want to delay development but wants the site’s future use to match the area’s growing needs, noting nearby housing plans and the need for balanced infrastructure.

Council Pushes For Public Involvement

The Council continues to push for timely decisions and genuine input, urging the government to ensure the site delivers lasting value for the Chatswood community.

Read: Coronation Property Group Begins Chatswood Apartment Development

By stressing a need for transparency, timely consultation and proper infrastructure planning, Council officials say they are focused on securing the best outcome for families, students and residents in one of Sydney’s busiest centres.

Published 30-April-2025