Kellie Sloane opposing supermarket and apartments plan in Vaucluse
Kellie Sloane is opposing a plan to turn a derelict service station into a supermarket and boutique apartment block because the development would knock down a residential house in her well-heeled Vaucluse electorate.
NSW
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Liberal frontbencher Kellie Sloane is opposing a plan to turn a derelict service station into a supermarket and boutique apartment block because the development would knock down a residential house in her well-heeled Vaucluse electorate.
It comes after Woollahra Council – which has a target of building just 500 new homes in the five years to 2026, blocked a plan to expand the new mixed-use development last month.
That decision is now set to be appealed.
Supermarket giant Woolworths wants to build a new store at a disused service station on Old South Head Road in Vaucluse, with boutique apartments to be built above the supermarket.
When Woolworths applied to expand the proposal last month, Ms Sloane backed residents who wanted the plan scrapped.
She said she opposed Woolworths’ plan for a bigger development because it would knock down a residential site next to the old Caltex.
“I went to the election promising the electorate I would support retaining the character of our communities,” she said.
While Ms Sloane said she had “no problem whatsoever” with turning the service station into a supermarket, she opposed the “an unprecedented extension of a corporate and commercial site into a residential area”.
“Woolies are welcome to build on the Caltex site, but why do they need to extend into a low density area just 150 metres from a school?”
Before the election, Ms Sloane said her area should not be “punished” with more houses.
“We in the Woollahra council area exceeded our (housing) expectations so I don’t think we should be punished down the track (with) building more houses,” she said.
Ms Sloane’s opposition to the Woolworths supermarket and apartment development comes amid plans from the Minns government to hike housing targets in leafy suburbs by increasing density.
Under Woollahra’s Housing Strategy, released in 2021, gave the council a target of building just 900 additional dwellings in the 15 years to 2036.
The council’s housing target for 2021-26 is 500 new homes, with 400 additional homes forecast to be built from 2026 to 2036.
New housing targets are expected to be released before the end of the year.
Premier Chris Minns has repeatedly said that councils in established suburbs need to do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to boosting housing supply.
Planning Minister Paul Scully accused the Vaucluse MP of “cynical political behaviour,” saying one thing but doing another.
“Once again Liberal MP’s are supporting more housing in Macquarie St but opposing housing in their electorates,” he said.
“Increasing density in well-located areas with well-designed and well-built homes will allow more young people to get a home near to jobs and transport, allowing them to choose to live near their parents, not forcing them to live with their parents.”
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