Property development guide

What can I develop on my property in North Strathfield?

Explore some of the planning controls, development opportunities and approval considerations that may affect properties in North Strathfield.

Every property is different, so the development potential should always be checked against the controls applying to the individual site.

Check my property Speak to a planner

What development may be possible in North Strathfield?

North Strathfield is a compact suburb in the City of Canada Bay centred on its railway station and the Metro West station under construction, with a mix of low density streets, newer medium density development and mixed use land near the corridor.

North Strathfield combines low density residential streets with medium density and mixed use land near the station and along the main corridor, all mapped under Canada Bay LEP 2013.

Depending on the individual property, options can include extensions, knock-down rebuilds, secondary dwellings and dual occupancy on residential lots, and townhouses, apartments or mixed use development on appropriately zoned land near the station.

The Sydney Metro West station is expected to increase pressure for higher density near the corridor over time, but the controls that matter are those applying to your property when an application is lodged.

Renovations and extensions
Knock-down rebuilds
Granny flats or secondary dwellings
Dual occupancies
Subdivision
Townhouses or multiple dwellings
Redevelopment
Combining adjoining properties

These are not automatically available on every property. Zoning, lot dimensions, heritage, site constraints and other planning controls all matter.

Check what applies to my property

What could you do with your property?

Improve your home

Make your property work better for you and your family.

Renovations
Extensions
Additional bedrooms
Additional living space
Granny flats
Secondary dwellings
Knock-down rebuilds
Major home upgrades

Unlock more from your land

Understand whether your property could accommodate more homes, lots or development.

Dual occupancies
Townhouses
Subdivision
Battle-axe lots
Additional dwellings
Increased dwelling yield
Redevelopment opportunities

Combine & develop

Sometimes the bigger opportunity comes from bringing properties together.

Adjoining properties
Multiple neighbouring lots
Strata apartment blocks
Collective redevelopment
Site amalgamation
Larger development sites

Your property may have different development potential when considered together with neighbouring land.

What planning controls could affect a property in North Strathfield?

The controls below are a high level starting point only. The requirements that actually apply are set by the zoning and controls mapped to your individual lot, so they should always be confirmed for the specific property.

Applicable council: City of Canada Bay Council, with larger proposals potentially referred to a regional planning panel.
Planning instruments: Canada Bay LEP 2013 and the Canada Bay DCP, plus state policies including the Housing SEPP and transport oriented development and low and mid-rise housing provisions where they apply near the station.
Zoning: A mix of R2 low density, medium density residential and mixed use or business zoning around the station and main corridor.
Height and floor space ratio: Mapped in the LEP, with materially higher controls close to the station and corridor than in the surrounding residential streets.
Site area, frontage and amalgamation: Apartment and mixed use development typically requires a minimum consolidated site width for compliant layouts, separation and basement parking.
Apartment design standards: Residential flat buildings and shop top housing are assessed against the Apartment Design Guide.
Rail and road interface: Noise and vibration from the rail corridor and Concord Road, and constrained vehicle access, are recurring design issues.
Flooding and stormwater: Low lying land near the local drainage system can be affected by overland flow, which influences floor levels and pathway.

Which council controls development in North Strathfield?

The City of Canada Bay Council assesses most development in North Strathfield under Canada Bay LEP 2013 and the Canada Bay DCP.

State planning policies operate alongside those controls and can be significant near a station, where transport oriented and housing provisions may permit additional density or set their own standards.

Because station related planning can change, the controls in force for the individual property should be checked at the time rather than assumed.

Visit City of Canada Bay Council

Common development types in North Strathfield

Renovations and extensions

Common in the low density streets, with rear and first floor additions the usual form.

Granny flats and secondary dwellings

Possible on standard lots, subject to site area, setbacks, private open space and access requirements.

Dual occupancy and duplex development

Depends on permissibility in the zone and on lot area and frontage.

Townhouses and multiple dwellings

Relevant on medium density land near the station where site width and depth allow compliant layouts and parking.

Apartments and mixed use

Focused on the station precinct and corridor, assessed against the Apartment Design Guide and local centre controls.

Combining neighbouring properties

Often required near the station, where individual lots are too narrow to deliver the mapped height and floor space on their own.

Including a development type here does not mean it is permitted on your property. Permissibility depends on the zone and the standards applying to the individual site.

Would I need a DA or CDC in North Strathfield?

Complying Development

Some development can be approved as Complying Development where every applicable requirement in the relevant code is met. It is a faster, standards based pathway, but a single non-compliance or an excluded site removes it.

Development Application

Other development requires a Development Application assessed by the council on its merits. This is the usual pathway where the design departs from a standard or the site is constrained.

The correct pathway depends on the property, the proposed development, the planning controls and the site constraints.

Check my approval pathway See how the process works

Does heritage affect development in North Strathfield?

North Strathfield has a limited number of heritage items compared with Concord, though some older buildings near the station and along the corridor are recognised.

Where an item applies, or where a property adjoins one, demolition and the design of new development are assessed against heritage impact considerations.

Confirm heritage status for the individual lot against the Canada Bay LEP heritage maps.

Could I develop my property with my neighbour?

Combining adjoining properties can sometimes create a larger development site and opportunities that may not be achievable on either property individually.

Around North Strathfield station and the corridor, amalgamation is often the practical route to apartment or mixed use development, since a single narrow lot rarely supports compliant apartment layouts and basement access.

Two neighbouring houses
Multiple adjoining lots
Strata apartment buildings
Larger coordinated redevelopment sites

Planning controls, ownership structure, site dimensions and commercial considerations all need to be assessed before a combined opportunity can be relied on.

Explore a combined development opportunity

Professional review

Get the opportunity checked by a Registered Planner.

Online information is a useful starting point, but development potential ultimately depends on the individual property.

A Registered Planner can review the relevant controls, identify the major constraints and help you understand what may realistically be achievable.

Get my property checked See pricing

Common property development questions in North Strathfield

What can I build on my property in North Strathfield?

Close to the station, medium density or mixed use development may be possible. In the surrounding low density streets, a new house, an extension or a secondary dwelling are the more typical options.

Will Metro West change what I can build in North Strathfield?

Station precinct and transport oriented planning can increase permitted density near stations over time. The control that matters is the one in force for your property when you lodge, so it should be checked.

Can I build apartments in North Strathfield?

Only where the zoning permits it and the site can satisfy apartment design, separation, parking and access requirements. Amalgamation is often needed.

Can I build townhouses in North Strathfield?

Multi dwelling housing is generally limited to medium density zoned land with adequate width and depth.

Can I build a duplex in North Strathfield?

Where dual occupancy is permitted in the zone and the lot meets the applicable minimum area and width standards.

Can I build a granny flat in North Strathfield?

Often, subject to site area, setbacks, private open space and access requirements.

Do I need a DA or CDC in North Strathfield?

Simple, fully compliant residential work may use Complying Development. Apartment, mixed use and constrained sites require a Development Application.

Does rail noise affect development in North Strathfield?

Yes for properties near the corridor, where noise and vibration requirements can influence facade construction and room layouts.

What zoning applies to my property in North Strathfield?

A mix of low density, medium density and mixed use zoning near the station, mapped lot by lot in Canada Bay LEP 2013.

How do I check my North Strathfield property's development potential?

Start with your address. Develpr checks the zoning, station related and site specific controls applying to the individual property.

Planning sources

The controls referenced on this page come from the following authoritative sources. Always confirm the current requirements for the individual property.

Planning content reviewed by a Registered Planner. This guide is general information only and is not planning advice for a specific property.

Explore nearby property development guides

Browse all property development guides Read how a Develpr property check works See what a planning check costs Learn about the Develpr team

Want to know what applies to your specific property?

Every property is different. Start with your address and understand what may be worth exploring.

mydevelpr.

Speak to a planner