North Sydney local and cultural icon, Wendy Whiteley, has formally opposed a proposed Lavender Bay development that would bring a 20-storey tower, affordable accommodation and new public spaces to the grounds surrounding St Francis Xavier Church.
The creator of Wendy’s Secret Garden has lodged an objection to the plans, raising concerns about their impact on the neighbourhood’s heritage character, neighbours and artistic significance.
The proposal covers 1-19 Mackenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road, near North Sydney Station. St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia is working with the Parish of Our Lady of the Way on the redevelopment, which would retain the church while substantially changing the surrounding precinct.
Wendy Whiteley’s Objection
In her letter dated 4 September 2026, Whiteley argues that the tower would be inappropriate for its heritage setting. She raises concerns about overshadowing, loss of sunlight and sky, and additional traffic and noise.
“Lavender Bay’s special character ought to be maintained and encouraged, not destroyed by inappropriate development,” she writes.
Whiteley also highlights the neighbourhood’s connection to her late husband, Brett Whiteley, and the relationship between her garden, the heritage streetscapes and harbour foreshore. She calls for the application to be refused in its present form.
What’s Proposed
The main residential building would contain 107 apartments, comprising 88 market-rate homes and 19 affordable apartments, above two ground-floor retail spaces.
A separate co-living component would incorporate the former school building beside the church and a seven-storey extension. It would provide 57 co-living rooms and a building manager’s studio, bringing the overall residential count to 165.
Most market apartments would have two or more bedrooms. The 19 affordable apartments would comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments.
Existing residential accommodation, including Xavier Terrace, would be demolished. The application also seeks changes to zoning and height controls to accommodate the redevelopment.
New Public Spaces and Parish Facilities
The project includes around 1,000 square metres of publicly accessible open space, a new public square, upgraded parish facilities and a pedestrian connection towards North Sydney Station Plaza.
Architecture firm Wardle has designed a three-storey podium with the tower set back above it. Brick and sandstone-toned finishes at the lower levels are intended to relate to the church.
Project engagement information identifies restoring historic buildings and providing affordable rental housing for key workers, vulnerable people and people in crisis as aims of the renewal. St Francis Xavier Church would be retained and upgraded for continued worship.
Residents Seek a Lower Development
Whiteley’s objection sits alongside a submission from Residents Opposing Lavender Bay Overdevelopment, which argues that the tower would dominate the church, former school and nearby heritage streetscapes.
The group says it supports additional housing and renewed parish facilities, but favours a lower development of approximately four to six storeys on suitable parts of the site.
Its concerns include overshadowing, traffic, construction disruption and the combined impacts of other major developments proposed nearby.
The group also questions whether the proposed affordable accommodation would adequately replace existing housing, particularly self-contained two-bedroom homes. It is seeking a clear relocation strategy for affected residents, including suitable replacement accommodation, moving assistance and continuity of support.
The proposal is being considered through the NSW Government’s State Significant Development process.
Public exhibition closed on 23 September 2026. The NSW Planning Portal currently lists the application at the response-to-submissions stage, with no final approval recorded.
The plans and published submissions, including Whiteley’s objection, can be viewed on the NSW Planning Portal under reference SSD-88702457.
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