Northern Sydney councils are banding together in their concerns towards redeveloping the parcel of land on the southern campus of the Royal North Shore Hospital.
The Minns Labor Government launched an Expressions of Interest (EOI) campaign to develop the 3,301 square metres of land along Herbert Street, ending in mid-May. Redevelopment would deliver 448 new homes, including 67 affordable housing options, alongside commercial offices and retail spaces with a 62-storey mixed-use building.
In 2021, local councils and the Artarmon Progress Association opposed the rezoning of Lot 4B, calling for the land to remain used for patient-related healthcare by RNSH.
In its March 2025 meeting, Willoughby City Council resolved to both call for greater public benefit in the proposed redevelopment, and to see the government’s modelling of future demand for health services. Additionally, they resolved to bring these concerns to the next Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) meeting.
‘Willoughby Council recognises the strategic importance of Lot 4B and the opportunity it presents to deliver real, lasting public benefit,’ said Mayor Tanya Taylor. ‘We are committed to ensuring this land is not just seen through a commercial lens, but as a community asset that must provide value in the form of open space, affordable housing, public infrastructure, and thoughtful urban design.’
Lane Cove Council, North Sydney Council, Mosman, and Ku-ring-gai Council have all publicly resolved to support Willoughby’s demand that the land stay in public use for health purposes. Councils have resolved to write to relevant NSW Ministers and the Premier on the issue.