By ANNA USHER

A row of century-old Neutral Bay terraces could soon be bulldozed to make way for an eight-storey apartment block – the latest significant development proposed under the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms.

A development application lodged with North Sydney Council proposes the demolition of six adjoining homes at 27–37 Bydown Street and the construction of a 28-metre-high residential building containing 25 apartments – including six affordable housing units – and three basement levels of parking.

The $30 million project, designed by PBD Architects on behalf of developer Bydown Street Residence DM Pty Ltd, will “revitalise” Neutral Bay if approved, documents submitted to North Sydney Council state.

The six-lot super site covers 1211.7sqm and is zoned R3.

Verified land title and sales data show the following history for each of the six lots:

Each property is individually titled but is now subject to a caveat held by Bydown Street Residence DM Pty Ltd. Company filings identify Yang Liu, 41, as the sole director of the developer entity, which lists a registered address in Castlecrag.

It is believed the homes were originally used as housing for local tram workers and as a group, “represent an important chapter in the history of Neutral Bay”.

Locals have launched a Change.org petition titled “Save Bydown Terraces from Demolition – Neutral Precinct”, urging the Council “to protect these invaluable structures.”

The petition describes the terraces as part of Neutral Bay’s “unique architectural and cultural history”. It warns that redevelopment would “erase a significant piece of our local history and heritage that cannot be replaced.”

“Unlike anything else in the area, these cottages symbolise the lives and stories of the working-class community, telling tales of the past that deserve to be cherished and preserved,” the petition states.

More than 180 people have signed the petition, expressing anger and frustration at the “development tsunami” taking place on the lower north shore.

“This isn’t planning reform – it’s destruction,” said one Bydown Street resident, who has lived in the precinct for over two decades. “The street can’t cope with the traffic, the shadowing, or the sheer bulk of what’s being proposed.”

“At the present time family homes are being demolished at an alarming rate, creating more congestion and changing the face of the suburb forever,” another said.

“Once historical buildings have been demolished, there is no going back; they can never be replaced.”

A notice of motion is scheduled for North Sydney Council’s meeting on Tuesday, 13 October, requesting that staff investigate placing an Interim Heritage Order on the homes.
The motion cites “significant community concern that unless urgent action is taken, the cottages will be irreversibly lost, erasing a tangible and culturally valuable piece of Neutral Bay’s history.”

Have Your Say

The proposal for 27–37 Bydown Street, Neutral Bay, is currently on public exhibition, with submissions open through the North Sydney Council Planning Portal.

You can also sign the community petition here.

View the Development Application here.