‘No-brainer’: Architects, developers ready to pounce on Woollahra ghost station

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Developers and architecture firms are already planning options for a future train station development at Woollahra as the state government continues to seriously consider completing construction on the long-abandoned station.

Premier Chris Minns is yet to make an announcement on the future of the half-finished station, but didn’t deny it was one of many housing projects being considered by the state government. Meanwhile, architects and developers have told the Herald they are ready to pounce with fresh ideas should the government commit to the project.

Sketches drawn up by Cove Architects indicate buildings between six and eight storeys tall could be built above a Woollahra station.

The station, which was partly built and abandoned in the 1970s, could be the centre of a future above-station housing development or transport-oriented development plan, government sources with knowledge of the plans but not authorised to speak publicly said.

Sydney studio Cove Architects have drawn up rough plans for six and eight-storey buildings above the station, should it be completed. If the government decided to proceed with development, it could deliver around 250 homes, but a full transport-oriented development plan with upzoning of surrounding streets could deliver thousands of homes, Cove Architects founder Alistair Wood said.

“It’s a no-brainer, really,” he said. “The only reason you wouldn’t do it is the same reason the station never got completed – lots of wealthy, powerful people who live there … Woollahra is two kilometres from the CBD; it can’t be mansion houses forever.”

Wood believes his preliminary sketches would probably be on the more conservative side, but a TOD rezoning could allow land-owners to band together to sell blocks to developers for big bucks.

Trains pass through the abandoned Woollahra train station.

During an event launching the state government’s new low-rise housing pattern book on Wednesday, Minns didn’t dispute the location could form part of the solution to the state’s housing crisis.

“I’m not announcing those changes today,” he said. “We’re considering a whole bunch of options that are absolutely essential to get housing going in Sydney, and rejecting what I think has been the stultifying status quo that says that you shouldn’t be reforming planning in Sydney and making it easier to build, which has, I think, damned the next generation to leaving Sydney.”

Liberal member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane isn’t against the idea of opening the station, but has suggested unlocking development potential in nearby Edgecliff, including towers 30 storeys high, would be the more “sensible approach”.

Sloane, who has previously expressed scepticism over the idea of an over-station development at Woollahra, wants to see government modelling before committing her support.

“I’m not opposed to the idea of a Woollahra station development in principle but it might be smarter, and deliver more homes sooner, to focus first on what we can achieve at our existing stations,” she said.

“I’d like to see a far more ambitious approach to development above the train line at Edgecliff, which is just a short walk from the proposed Woollahra site. At Edgecliff, we could build at least 30 storeys, instead of the current seven, and unlock significant uplift around the station precinct.”

Woollahra mayor Sarah Swan is less enthusiastic. She told the Herald she is “interested to see if the numbers stack up”.

“The government’s transport-oriented development scheme doesn’t include the existing interchange at Edgecliff and much like the low and mid-rise housing policy that overrides local planning controls and heritage character, our community and council haven’t been informed of their plans,” she said.

Any development of the Woollahra site would be a major win for pro-housing group Sydney YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) which has been staunch campaigners on the issue, pressuring Sloane and the government to commit to the project.

Elie Jury, 25, is excited at the prospect of a potential station at Woollahra.

They believe the tide has turned in the eastern suburbs, and that locals are more receptive to the need for more housing in the area than they were in the 1970s, when locals took opposition to the train station to the High Court.

“That’s a very eastern suburbs mindset – but it’s not everyone’s opinion,” 25-year-old Woollahra resident Elie Jury said.

“I would love [a station] – I think it allows for more accessibility. Given everyone goes to the eastern suburbs for the beaches anyway, what a lovely way to get there without traffic, cars and parking.

But some are less supportive, with one resident describing Woollahra as the “9 and ¾ Harry Potter station”.

“It’s a magic station, it doesn’t really exist, and only magicians can find it,” 79-year-old Peter Bloomfield said.

Peter Bloomfield staunchly opposes the proposed station.

“I don’t see what good it would do to have a station there. I don’t see any benefits.”

“There’s no parking – there won’t be sufficient services for the number of people who live here. There won’t be enough increased infrastructure, parks, or streets to support a growing population.”

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