A masterplan is a document that helps coordinate Council, community, business, and government objectives in a location that is likely to experience change or urban renewal. A masterplan is supported by detailed analysis across several core issues and provides a framework to support the delivery of new buildings, infrastructure, land use and public space.

A masterplan does not define the specific outcomes of a particular development or project but, provides principles that guide future proposals in the context of a place-based masterplan.

The Strathfield Town Centre Masterplan will guide the growth of the Town Centre and will provide a clear framework for future projects. The Town Centre is an important resource for many within the community as it provides:

• access to a range of goods and services which are not available in other locations in the local area
• a place for employment, primarily in the retail and service sectors
• a place to access public transport that links to other key centres and employment locations across Sydney and beyond
• a place for a growing night time economy with a large number of restaurants offers a variety of dining experience

The Masterplan will bring together the three emerging themes:

• Growing the local economic future,
• Providing a framework for built form change and development opportunity,
• Supporting community experience and enjoyment of the centre and its offerings

The Strathfield Town Centre Masterplan will become an important document that will provide policy direction and guidance for the future growth and expansion of the Town Centre.

Strathfield Town Centre is an important resource for many within the community. It provides access to a range of goods and services which are not otherwise available in other locations in the community. Economically, it is also a place for employment with many people being employed in the retail and service sector.

A Masterplan is needed to bring together the three (3) emerging themes of economic futures, development opportunity and community experience into a cohesive and logical strategy.

As part of the Masterplan, the existing controls within the Strathfield Local Environment Plan and Strathfield Development Control Plan will be reviewed.

If necessary, alternative, or additional controls will be put forward and these will be clearly explained as part of the recommendations of the Masterplan.

The Masterplan core area includes land within the town centre that is presently zoned as E2 Commercial Centre or MU1 Mixed Use.

A Masterplan Frame Area is proposed which shows some additional land outside the town centre to encompass some key land uses or important features.

It is acknowledged that the “Strathfield Town Centre” perceived by the public is located not only within Strathfield Council but also the City of Canada Bay and Burwood Council areas. Any recommendations contained within the Masterplan will only relate to those parts of the town centre within the Strathfield Council area.

All the work undertaken during stage 1 of the Strathfield Town Centre Masterplan process has been summarised in the document below:

· Community Vision and Background Report

· Community Engagement Report

A PDF copy of each document is available via the links provided in the ‘Document Library’ of this page.

Strathfield Council is currently undertaking a procurement process to engage an external consultant team to assist in the preparation of the Masterplan. It is anticipated that this will commence in early November 2024.

An implementation strategy will be included at stage 2 of the Masterplan.

Based on the work completed during stage 1, it is likely that there will be a number of themes that need to be addressed by the Masterplan. This will likely include a review of existing planning controls for the town centre, but no decision has been made as to the nature of those changes.

Other issues of critical importance to the masterplan include to develop a strategy to improve the public realm, create new or improve public space and improve accessibility to the town centre. This will likely be addressed in a number of ways including physical changes and improvement projects, which will be explored during the preparation of the Masterplan at stage 2.

It is Council’s intention to have a draft Masterplan available for public consultation by June 2025.

However, there will be additional consultation and feedback events between now and June 2025. The project team will continue to provide community updates and seek feedback at key stages during the masterplan process.

All updates will be communicated via Council’s website, social media and Council newsletters.

Yes! Submissions can be made in writing to Council during the public exhibition period. More information will be provided in the future via this Have Your Say page.

Early engagement for the Strathfield Town Centre will assist to inform the development of the masterplan. The results of the Stage 1 Community Engagement can be found in the Document Library .

The Masterplan will set the vision for the future of the Strathfield Town Centre and is the first step in the planning process.

Once the Masterplan is adopted by Council, we will prepare a planning proposal to implement the vision of the Masterplan. The Planning Proposal process will include opportunities for additional community consultation.

Consultants, Hassell Studio, have been appointed to assist in the preparation of the Masterplan for the Strathfield Town Centre.

Hassell Studio will lead a multi-disciplinary team of experts to deliver the draft Strathfield Town Centre Masterplan, which will be an important document and will establish a framework for managing future growth and change in the Town Centre.

Building on the Vision already developed in collaboration with the community, the draft Masterplan will aim to deliver a framework to ensure the Town Centre becomes a liveable, vibrant place for people, supporting investment and job opportunities for both current and future residents. The Masterplan also provides an opportunity to deliver significant community benefits, including improved public spaces, community infrastructure, quality urban design and building excellence, all in a way that is environmentally and financially sustainable.

A master plan sets the long-term vision for an area, but it does not alter planning controls in Council’s planning legislation (i.e. the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan 2012 (SLEP)) which developments must comply with). Following Council adoption of a master plan, a separate process called a Planning Proposal is required to amend the SLEP. This Planning Proposal process includes further consultation with property owners impacted by changes in zoning, building height and floor space ratio. The amendment to the SLEP will also be supported by an amendment to the Strathfield Development Control Plan (SDCP) which provides detailed guidelines for the design and assessment of proposed developments.