YIMBY rise emerges as threat to Adelaide’s powerful NIMBY voice

Adelaide’s NIMBYs face a new threat to their powerful voice as a pro-housing movement takes hold in Australia’s largest cities. It’s the rise of the YIMBY.

Property Council SA executive director. Picture: Tom Huntley

Adelaide’s so-called NIMBYs who lobby against developments across the city face a new threat to their powerful voice as a pro-housing movement takes hold across Australia’s largest capital cities.

Dubbed YIMBY – or ‘yes in my backyard’ – the international movement is being led by grassroots activists who are joining forces to campaign for higher density housing in inner-city areas.

Sydney YIMBY, YIMBY Melbourne and YIMBY Qld are among the organised groups that have sprung up along the east coast, and local developers and housing groups say a similar movement in Adelaide could restore balance in the debate around higher density housing in the city.

The YIMBY movement, while in its infancy in Australia, has been building momentum as the housing crisis leaves many young people with little hope of owning their own home.

The $250m apartment development at the former Le Cornu site in North Adelaide faced fierce opposition from local residents. Picture: Supplied by Commercial & General

Groups have mobilised to take the fight to NIMBYs by campaigning for relaxed planning restrictions and lobbying in favour of developments in inner city neighbourhoods.

Property Council SA executive director Bruce Djite welcomed the emergence of YIMBY groups interstate, saying a similar movement in Adelaide could help to ease the current housing shortage.

“While it is natural that people dislike change in their communities, it is also understandable that the people who need housing the most are becoming the biggest advocates for development in tight markets,” he said.

“Pressure from community groups can be a considerable factor holding back new development in South Australia.

“Therefore a pro-development movement to counterbalance NIMBYism could assist in progressing support for vital housing developments.”

NIMBYs are a powerful force in Adelaide, and would probably consider their spiritual home as the affluent pockets of North Adelaide, where they have rallied against projects including the Adelaide Crows’ proposed redevelopment of the Aquatic Centre and the $250m apartment development at the former Le Cornu site, which they unsuccessfully challenged in court.

Property developer Theo Maras. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Property developer and former North Adelaide resident Theo Maras, who earlier this year won his own court battle with a disgruntled resident opposed to a proposed apartment development on Hutt St, said NIMBYs had too much power in the planning process, and hoped the YIMBY movement would soon reach Adelaide.

“Of course it’s got to be a grassroots uprising from the ground up to stop all this stuff from happening,” he said.

“I think they’ve (NIMBYs) got too much say in local politics because of councillors who care more about their next election than they care about the reality of their city.

“I have had my own experience and I’ve had four years of delay by one resident. Let me say that sort of stuff goes on everywhere.”

It’s not only Adelaide’s well-heeled suburbs where NIMBYs find their voice.

Maria Palumbo, who heads up affordable housing provider Junction, said social and affordable housing developments invariably came up against vocal opposition.

“Often, no matter what you are trying to do in a community, you get the same group pushing back,” she said.

“I would love if there was an ability for people to say no, actually, I don’t have a problem with this - I want my kids to be able to live where they grew up, like I was able to. Isn’t there a voice for that too somewhere?

Junction chief executive Maria Palumbo. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“More balance in the debate is definitnely needed. Right now, we need to be looking at a range of ways and innovations to increase the supply of affordable housing.

“It is imperative that all people genuinely have the chance to understand opportunities that arise and to truly have their voices heard.”

Originally published as YIMBY rise emerges as threat to Adelaide’s powerful NIMBY voice