The Department of Planning and Environment (DPIE) has knocked back Woollahra Council’s recent Local Housing Strategy submission, which included several proposed new planning controls designed to protect heritage and local character.
The rejection comes after the DPIE has endorsed plans to substantially uplift density along New South Head Road in Edgecliff.
At a Woollahra Environmental Planning Committee meeting early in October, council noted that the DPIE had rejected council’s consideration of ‘Desired Future Character’ in the local housing strategy.
“Council note the Department of Planning and Environment (DPIE) has determined Council’s planning proposal to clarify and define Desired Future Character in the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan should not proceed; and note DPIE’s advice that a statutory Local Character clause or overlay is not being progressed” the meeting minutes say.
The rejected statutory ‘Local Character clause’ or overlay could mean that Woollahra council isn’t able to protect some of its heritage assets.
Councillor says Woollahra is meeting housing targets
Councillor Merrill Witt said the Woollahra Council has exceeded the Governments housing targets, yet aren’t being given credit.
”We have to deliver 500 net new dwellings over the next 5 years even though we’ve already exceeded our 2016 -2021 target by 200%, 889 approved or built net new dwellings versus a target of 300. The Department of Planning and Environment won’t give us any carry over credit” Witt told City Hub.
Cr Merill Witt. Photo: Residents First.
The DPIE’s approved Edgecliff housing plan have the council also fearing about lack of parking and visitors to the area these new changes will make. With councils already under pressure to create space for these new homes, local businesses are being hit with a parking crisis starting to emerge in the region.
“Parking is extremely difficult in Rose Bay, for example” Cr Witt said.
“Many residents have told me that they can’t find parking in Rose Bay and are forced to go to Bondi Junction. I also often find myself in this situation, which is sad because I really like supporting the local shops.”
With the demand for parking only getting larger, there are concerns that out of area visitors and tourists may be turned off at the idea of visiting areas like Watson’s Bay.
When asked about the recent decision to reject the Woollahra councils Local Housing Strategy and whether the DPIE would be committing to making parking accessible for all, a DPIE spokesperson told CityHub ”It is the responsibility of councils to meet the housing targets set by the Greater Cities Commission, through their local housing strategies
“As part of that work, it is their role to identify opportunities for housing to meet diverse needs of the community, in line with infrastructure and access to services and open space.”
