What is being proposed by Defence on the Randwick Barracks Site?
The Bundock Street Housing Redevelopment Project proposes to build 62 single dwellings fronting Bundock Street Randwick. These houses are to provide residential accommodation for Defence personnel and their families. This proposal is being managed by the Department of Defence, in partnership with Defence Housing Australia.
The Randwick Barracks site has been identified by Defence as a suitable location for Defence housing given its strategic location and size. The diagram below shows the location of the proposal and comprises approximately 2.7 hectares
Does Council have an approval role?
As a Commonwealth owned site State and local planning controls are not applicable. Defence will be assessing the proposals and will provide Council with plans, studies and associated documentation for review. Whilst Council does not have a consent role, Council officers In June 2022, provided feedback to Defence on concept plans and relevant associated documents. It represents Council’s response to key aspects of the Bundock Street Housing Redevelopment project as contained in various plans and documents that have been made available by Defence prior to the referral of the proposal to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
What approval process will be followed by Department of Defence?
The Department of Defence will refer this project to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in accordance with the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is responsible for issuing any approvals for the proposal.
What studies are being undertaken?
Defence has undertaken technical studies including ecological, traffic and cultural heritage studies, services infrastructure, tree assessment, architecture and urban design.
Defence has provided Council a copy of the Contamination Assessment Study for the site. The NSW Environment Protection Authority’s requirements must be followed for the site investigations. Defence is engaging a NSW EPA Accredited Site Auditor to monitor and approve contamination investigations. Contamination investigation processes being carried out by Defence are described here:
Project DetailsThe SLR report has been reviewed by Council’s Environmental Health Officers and an independent EPA Accredited Site Auditor from Douglas Partners (DP) for peer review.
The peer review report advises and acknowledges that the applicant’s Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) has concluded that the subject site can be made suitable for a residential land use provided a number of provisions are met including the management of bonded ACM fragments and asbestos as well as heavy metals are undertaken on site; monitoring of groundwater quality and properties on site; and preparation of a Hazardous Building Material (HBM) assessment of remaining buildings. The Peer Review concurs with this conclusion by SLR, and notes also that the draft Detailed Site Investigation prepared by SLR is comprehensive and is generally compliant with the published guidelines, including those made and endorsed by the NSW EPA under the Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997
Do the existing planning controls in the Randwick Development Control Plan 2013 apply?
DCP 2013 contains site specific controls for the design, environmental outcomes and amenity requirements for new residential development on the site. These controls were prepared following the preparation of a Masterplan adopted by Council in 2001.
Council officers have advised Defence that the existing DCP contains objectives, guidance, urban design principles and environmental design requirements that are relevant and should be addressed in the current proposals.
What is the timing for delivery?
Department of Defence will refer this project to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for environmental assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. In 2025, following the EPBC Act assessment, Defence will make a submission to the Public Works Committee and a decision will be made. Following site remediation, construction will commence and is expected to be completed in 2028.
The indicative timing for the project is provided on the Defence website:
Project DetailsHow is Defence engaging with the community?
On 14 March 2024, Defence conducted community information session on DCCEEW’s referral process including how and when the community can make a submission.
The presentation shared at the session available to view here: PowerPoint Presentation
A summary of general feedback from the session can be viewed here: 661df542c8f19f42611c8b86_General feedback from Community Information Session on EPBC Referral 14 Mar 2024 .pdf
How can I find out more?
Further information can be obtained from the Defence website
Bundock Street Housing Redevelopment
Contact email bundockhousingredevelopment@wsp.com or call the project team on 1800 281 280
Last Updated: 17 January 2025
