Sydney Developer Wins Approval for 250-Home Project After

Lobbying Efforts

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.

After four years of planning, Sydney developer Arash Tavakoli, owner of Landmark Group, has won approval for a 250-home project in Edgecliff, despite community opposition and rejection by Woollahra Council. The development, which includes a 25-storey tower, has raised concerns about traffic, overshadowing, and loss of heritage.

### The Edgecliff Development

The Cameron Court complex behind Edgecliff train station has long been a tempting acquisition for developers given it sits on a sprawling 7200 square meters in one of the most expensive locales in the country. Tavakoli, brother of high-profile plastic surgeon Dr Kourosh Tavakoli, had started buying up the majority of studio and one-bedroom apartments in early 2022, for an average rent of $500 to $700 per week. Despite snapping up the requisite 75 per cent of apartments to force a collective sale of the block, half a dozen owners held out, forcing Landmark to resort to legal proceedings to secure a new strata renewal plan.

### Lobbying Efforts

Tavakoli turned to the Iemma Patterson Premier Advisory, a lobby firm run by former premier Morris Iemma, for assistance in September 2023. Iemma's office exchanged emails with the planning minister's office, discussing the "abrasive and ignorant" council and the condition of an external independent design process for the site. Iemma described it as "overreach on part of the panel" and requested an urgent meeting with the premier and planning minister's office to discuss the issue.

### The Planning Minister's Decision

The state planning minister, Paul Scully, intervened in the project, giving the go-ahead for about 250 new homes on the site. It is unclear how Iemma's lobbying efforts influenced Scully's decision. Landmark's break came in late 2024, when the state government announced the creation of the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) as a way to increase housing supply.

### Community Opposition

The community has consistently opposed the development, citing concerns about traffic, overshadowing, and the loss of heritage. The project also exceeded the local height limit by 279 per cent and removed 152 trees. Local residents have expressed disappointment at the decision, with Edgecliff Residents Organisation manager Charlene Batson saying, "The community has objected at every stage of this development".

### Key Facts

  • 250 new homes will be built on the site.
  • The development includes a 25-storey tower.
  • The project exceeded the local height limit by 279 per cent.
  • 152 trees were removed from the site.
  • The community has consistently opposed the development.

### What's Next

The project is expected to proceed, with Landmark Group set to start construction on the site. The Edgecliff Residents Organisation has vowed to continue fighting the development, and local residents are expected to continue voicing their concerns about the impact on the area.

### A Sharper Look at Lobbying in NSW

Lobbyists play a significant role in shaping policy and decision-making in New South Wales. The Iemma Patterson Premier Advisory has been instrumental in helping developers secure approval for major projects. This development raises questions about the influence of lobbyists and the potential conflict of interest in the decision-making process.

#### A Note on Lobbying In New South Wales, lobbyists are registered and must declare their clients and any financial interests. However, the influence of lobbyists on government decision-making is not always transparent. The lobbying industry has grown significantly in recent years, with many high-profile lobbyists representing major clients.

#### NSW Lobbying Laws Lobbyists in NSW are required to register with the NSW Electoral Commission and declare their clients and any financial interests. However, the rules around lobbying are complex, and the influence of lobbyists on government decision-making is not always transparent.

#### The Future of Lobbying in NSW

The use of lobbyists in NSW is set to continue, with many major projects relying on the expertise of these professionals. However, the influence of lobbyists on government decision-making raises concerns about transparency and accountability. As the industry continues to grow, it is essential that the rules around lobbying are reviewed and updated to ensure transparency and accountability.