Major decision coming for hundreds of homes in Newcastle city CBD
A crunch meeting will be held which will decide whether more than a hundred new homes will be built in the CBD – months after it was kiboshed by unelected bureaucrats.
NSW
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A crunch meeting will be held on Monday to decide whether more than a hundred new homes will be built in a NSW CBD – months after it was kiboshed by unelected bureaucrats.
The Daily Telegraph revealed in July that the final stage of the $1 billion East End development in the heart of Newcastle was rejected at the final step by the region’s Planning Panel, after four years moving through the planning system.
The decision sparked debate over the role of planning panels – leading Premier Chris Minns to warn that layers of bureaucracy could be slashed if they get in the way of new housing.
It came after the planning panel dumped Iris Capital’s proposal for the final stages of their East End proposal, which includes 195 new homes, retail space, and upgrades to open space.
The project had been endorsed by the City of Newcastle, which stated it was “disappointed” at the panel’s decision to reject the design at the time, with the panel citing concerns over views at the time.
Planning Minister Paul Scully said following the decision a new planning panel would be convened to look at the project.
Iris Capital’s Sam Arnaout said updated reports had been tabled which addressed the concerns raised, adding the final stages of the $1 billion scheme would add almost 200 homes into a well-connected CBD location.
“I think the approval of this scheme delivers housing into a much under supplied part of Newcastle,” he said.
“Furthermore, it completes the current dislocated town centre for the Novocastrians to enjoy for generations to come.”
Regional planning panels were established in 2009 to help assess major developments over $30 million, independent of the state government.
Mr Scully last year wrote to all Planning Panel chairs asking them to take into account the current housing crisis when considering proposals.
NSW needs to build about 75,000 new homes annually for the next five years to meet its agreement with the federal government to build 377,000 dwellings by 2029.
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