A new community campaign, Better Brookvale, aimed at seeking good planning outcomes for Brookvale was launched at the Warringah Mall B-Line bus stop earlier this month.
Better Brookvale was born from a community forum held in August which saw residents demanding solutions to stop, what they called, “too tall”, “oversized” and “illogically outrageous” development plans for the area.
Of particular interest to the locals leading the campaign is the State Significant Development application at Warringah Mall which proposes seven towers, with at least two reaching 39 storeys and up to 1,600 apartments. In addition, Council has redeveloped its 2023 Brookvale Structure Plan, which is now called the Brookvale Precinct Planning Proposal, forecasting 2,900 dwellings in up to 25-storey buildings across Brookvale.
Curl Curl ward councillors Kristyn Glanville, Joeline Hackman and Nicholas Beaugeard are supporting the campaign.
“I’m pleased to help launch the Better Brookvale campaign, a collaboration between community members and Curl Curl ward councillors to build a community movement in opposition to the 39-storey towers proposed by Scentre Group at Warringah Mall,” Cr Glanville said.
Better Brookvale is urging Northern Beaches residents to sign a paper-based petition to the NSW Planning Minister which will be presented to Parliament.
The petition calls on the Minister to reject Scentre Group’s proposal for Warringah Mall, review whether the Housing Delivery Authority (a mechanism to fast track major developments and bypass local councils) is creating adverse and ad hoc planning outcomes, and ensure any development occurs with proper infrastructure, respects the local character and provide community benefits.
But, why a paper petition?
Better Brookvale says the Minister is forced to respond to a paper-based petition with at least 500 signatures.
Why the campaign says it’s needed
The campaign’s focus is Scentre Group’s plans for Warringah Mall, although Council’s Brookvale Precinct Planning Proposal is also criticised by the group.
“It’s hugely problematic that Scentre Group has brought this proposal to the State Government’s Housing Delivery Authority, which overrides the local council and community,” Cr Glanville, who is also running as a Greens candidate in the next state election for the seat of Manly, told Manly Observer.
“Scentre Group are jumping the queue on the strategic planning work being done by Council, which is still in the draft process, and the community haven’t yet had input on.
“Council’s Precinct Proposal proposes only up to 25 storeys, which in my personal view is already too high.
“For Scentre Group to then propose 39 storeys is a joke at the expense of the community.
“They’re also proposing half of the affordable dwellings which Council’s draft rules propose for the site and far less community space than what is required to service population growth in that location.”
Manly Osberver has reached out to Scentre Group for a comment.
Cr Glanville amended a motion for Council’s Brookvale Precinct Planning Proposal in August 2026, rejecting staff advice to reduce affordable housing rates. At the Council meeting, she said she couldn’t in good faith tell residents Council has increased the heights from 15 storeys (in the original 2023 Brookvale Structure Plan) to 25 storeys and slashed affordable housing minimums. In contrast, Cr Beaugeard voiced his concerns about not reducing the affordable housing rates, pointing to Frenchs Forest’s lack of development attributed to high affordable housing rates as a deterrent for developers. (You can read the full details of that here.)
Better Brookvale has added concerns around heat island effects, wind tunnels, overshadowing, loss of shared district views, and two decades of construction noise and dust that the Scentre Group’s 20 year development may bring.
Infrastructure is another concern. The group says Pittwater Road is already gridlocked and the bus network is at capacity and often delayed or cancelled, with no commitment from the State Government to upgrade roads or public transport. Manly Observer recently reported on traffic modelling for the area which would cause gridlock if the current plans were approved (you can read that here).
What are they campaigning for?
Better Brookvale wants the Planning Minister to refuse Scentre Group’s application giving time for Council’s Brookvale Precinct Proposal to be completed and for the community to have an opportunity to have a say on the draft planning rules.
A survey of residents at the Brookvale Development Community Forum in August found development height of 15 storeys was considered more appropriate for the area, provided it was supported by infrastructure including expanding public transport.
How to get involved
Better Brookvale is asking locals to take three actions:
- Sign the petition to the Planning Minister. Download and print the paper-based petition (here) and return it to hello@betterbrookvale.com.au.
- Join the mailing list (here) to be kept up-to-date on what’s happening and when to have your say.
- Volunteer to get the word out through letterbox drops and putting up posters.
For more information, head to www.betterbrookvale.com.au.
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