Proposed heritage listing of 12 Windward Avenue Mosman
Our planning proposal (PP 2026-498) is on public exhibition. Have your say by 2 June 2026
This planning proposal seeks to amend Mosman Local Environmental Plan 2012 (MLEP 2012) to identify 12 Windward Avenue, Mosman (known as the Dwyer House) as a local heritage item.
The Dwyer house constructed in 1959, was designed by prominent Australian architect Sydney Ancher. Sydney Ancher is associated with the development of a modernist residential style of architecture suitable to Australian conditions. The existing building at 12 Windward Avenue demonstrates a number of design aspects of his body of work, in particular the flat roof pavilion form and the relationship of the house to its site.
The proposed heritage listing of 12 Windward Avenue is to provide the site with the appropriate level of statutory protection and to recognise the heritage significance of the property.
Proposed changes
Council seeks the following amendments to Mosman LEP 2012:
- Insert a listing for 12 Windward Avenue, Mosman in Part 1 (Heritage Items) of Schedule 5 (Environmental heritage); and
- Amend the Heritage Map (Sheet HER_002) to identify a heritage item on the site of 12 Windward Avenue, Mosman.
Background
The proposed heritage listing of 12 Windward Avenue has arisen as Council issued an Interim Heritage Order (IHO) over the property on 26 September 2025, based on a preliminary heritage assessment prepared by Council’s Heritage Advisor, which found that the property is likely to meet the threshold for listing as a heritage item.
On 9 October 2025, Council engaged a heritage consultant to undertake an independent detailed assessment of the potential heritage significance of the property. The detailed heritage assessment found the property to be a good example of modernist residential style of architecture and representative of prominent modernist architect Sydney Ancher (1904-1979) which meets the following heritage assessment criteria:
- Criterion A (historical significance) at a local level
- Criterion B (associative significance) at a local level
- Criterion C (aesthetic significance) at a local level
- Criterion E (research potential) at a local or state level
- Criterion F (rarity) at a local level
- Criterion G (representativeness) at a local level.
A detailed description of the heritage significance of the item is included in the supporting documents to this Planning Proposal.
About the planning proposal
At its meeting of 3 March 2026, Council resolved to endorse the Planning Proposal to amend the MLEP 2012 Schedule 5 to include 12 Windward Avenue, Mosman as a local heritage item.
Council submitted the Planning Proposal to Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) seeking Gateway Determination to place the proposal on public exhibition.
Gateway Determination was granted on 7 May 2026.
Public Exhibition
The planning proposal is on public exhibition from 20 May - 2 June 2026.
Have your say about the proposed changes by emailing council@mosman.nsw.gov.au
Public exhibition closes on 2 June 2026.
