Liberal hopeful Kellie Sloane claims area shouldn’t be “punished” with more houses

Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane has claimed the well-heeled suburb of Vaucluse doesn’t need more housing as she officially launches her election campaign.

Former journalist-turned Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane has declared residents in her well-heeled electorate shouldn’t be “punished” with new homes, in a statement likely to put her at odds with a local council with housing targets to meet.

The former Nine News presenter, who officially launched her candidacy on Sunday next to Premier Dominic Perrottet, dug her heels in over more development in the wealthy harbourside suburb.

Despite the local council last year adopting a report recommending 500 new dwellings be built in the area over the next five years, Ms Sloane said she didn’t want to see the new residences built there.

She said Vaucluse – a safe blue-ribbon seat for the Liberals which includes some of the country’s most expensive properties – didn’t have the infrastructure to support new properties.

“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.

Liberal Party candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

“I’m saying that we need sustainable development in this community (which) doesn’t have the infrastructure for over development. It’s getting the balance right.”

“We need to have more people living here...but it’s important to get the balance right.”

The stance flies in the face of the Woollahra local housing strategy which the council adopted in 2021, which states 500 new homes must be built in the council area from 2021 to 2026.

Just another 400 homes are predicted to be built between 2026 and 2036.

The council area has among the lowest housing targets in the state, compared to major growth areas like Blacktown which is forecast to have almost 17,000 new homes built by 2026 and The Hills (14,870 new homes by 2026).

Mr Perrottet, who heads into the election after losing key long-term ministers like Brad Hazzard and David Elliott to retirement, also hinted Ms Sloane would be on the fast-track to cabinet if elected.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet walks in Double bay along with Kellie Sloan. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

“I know she will make a real difference not only as a strong advocate, but somebody who will also make a ministerial contribution … that’s exactly what the people of Vaucluse deserve,” he said.

Her selection comes as Mr Perrottet faces pressure to increase the number of women in his cabinet and government, with Ms Sloane one of the few Liberal women preselected so far in a winnable seat.

Ms Sloane said residents in the wealthy suburb shouldn’t be punished with more housing. Picture: Supplied

Mr Perrottet nominated Natalie Ward – who will contest the Northern Beaches seat of Davidson after leaving the Upper House – as another.

Ms Sloane will face likely-Teal backed candidate Karen Freyer and Labor’s pick Margaret Merten.

While Vaucluse sits within the federal electorate of Wentworth which fell from the Liberals’ Dave Sharma into the hold of Teal independent Allegra Spender at this year’s federal election, the seat is an overwhelmingly safe one at state level – with retiring incumbent Gabrielle Upton receiving 57 per cent of the primary vote in the 2019 election.