There have been several comments and enquiries about my post of November 2024 Pyrmont and Ultimo Proposed Planning Controls.
I paid particular attention to the negative impacts, large development at 26-38 Saunders Street, opposite the apartment where members of my family live. The plane allowed for construction of a building with ground floor retail plus 33 storeys of residential space. I illustrated the proposed development with the following image from the Sydney City Councils proposed plans.

Now times haver changed.

The planning proposal for Pyrmont adopted by the City of Sydney Council was finalised in early February, 2026, and instead of the 33 storey tower initially proposed, the The City Skyscraper forum reports that the tower was given a height increase to 123m (RL135m) and 36 storeys.

The tower will be higher than the easter support for the ANZAC bridge. Its base is also higher than the eastern bridge support so it will dramatically change the skyline.

The developer for this project is Toohey Miller which describes itself as “A property development business active in Sydney’s most prized and gentrifying locations with a reputation for marquee and architecturally significant projects. All Toohey Miller projects aim to complement and enhance the built and natural environment through curating the industry’s leading architects, designers and consultants.”

BVN Architecture has been selected as the principal designers for this 36 storey tower with approximately 160 luxury residential apartments. Toohey Miller’s website contains some impactful artist’s impressions of the building proposed opposite my family members 9 storey apartment block.

Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy

The plan to construct a 36 story tower at 26-38 Saunders Street is enabled by The Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy (PPPS).

Despite suggestions in notes from Toohey Miller the PPPS is weak in:

• conserving heritage values,
• ensuring good design for wind and noise, and
• matching land use to the specific place.

While the PPPS emphasises building for a sustainable future and creating a low carbon precinct. This goal is undermined by the foreshadowed demolition of 26-38 Saunders Street and three other specific building complexes in the Quarry Master Drive/Saunders Street area. These buildings, completed since 1999 are in good condition. Their demolition isn’t consistent with an environmentally sustainable approach.

The demolition process itself presents several problems:

• There is no indication of how much demolition material will be recycled versus sent to landfill.
• Demolition and construction will cause significant disruption to residents, including dust, noise pollution, and construction traffic.

While PPPS controls may suggest retention and adaptation of existing structures is possible elsewhere in the City of Sydney, this is not evident for this specific Pyrmont area.

In the case of the proposed 26-38 Saunders Street Tower there are some severe local concerns due to the existing topography:

• Topographic Discontinuity
  The tower is expected to create a significant 20 to 23-meter drop opposite 2-10 Quarry Master Drive, effectively wedging the existing residences between the tower and the escarpment.
• Noise Amplification:
  The area is already noisy, and the escarpment is noted for containing and amplifying noise (even conversations or service vehicles). The Plan projects the area will receive more traffic, worsening an existing noise problem that good design controls appear unable to prevent.