Planning Minister eyeing off new front in housing war with councils

The low rise unit blocks, duplexes and terrace houses which helped grow housing supply in the inner city are becoming progressively banned under restrictive local planning rules now in the sights of the Minns government.

The low rise unit blocks, duplexes and terrace houses which helped grow housing supply in the inner city are becoming progressively banned under restrictive local planning rules now in the sights of the Minns government.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Planning Minister Paul Scully is preparing to open a new front in his war against NIMBY councils that are blocking small unit blocks and multi-dwelling houses in residential areas.

The move came as Local Government NSW hit back at the state government, saying councils were being “unfairly” blamed for the housing crisis.

Currently, only 39 per cent of medium-density residential zones allow mid-rise residential flat buildings.

Duplexes or multi-dwelling houses are only permitted in six per cent of low density residential zones.

Planning Minister Paul Scully wants to tackle restrictions on low rise apartment buildings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

It means the types of buildings that helped make inner Sydney suburbs what they are today are off the agenda for many growing suburbs, despite the state’s worsening housing crisis.

Planning Minister Paul Scully is preparing a suite of measures to reverse restrictions which have gradually worked their way into local planning laws, including bans on medium density housing.

The move builds on a plan from Premier Chris Minns, revealed by The Daily Telegraph in its War on the Homefront series, for a rapid rollout of three- to four-storey apartment blocks similar to the overhaul of Paris in the 1800s.

Premier Chris Minns has called for a Paris-style revolution of Sydney’s housing. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Monique Harmer

State government sources identified Bayside Council, in Mr Minns own electorate, as being one area where new low-rise apartments and duplexes are too difficult to get approved.

New Mayor Bill Saravinovski said he would welcome working with the state government on increasing density.

“I’m sympathetic to encouraging more homes including dual occupancies,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Coalition MP has conceded that the former government must share the blame for the state’s broken planning system.

Upper House MP Christopher Rath hit out at his own side for abandoning any attempt to reform the planning system since 2013.

“Regrettably we jettisoned any reform of the planning system to any large extent in our subsequent terms,” he told parliament last week.

Mr Rath used the late-night speech to parliament to push for the Coalition to embrace the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) movement.

“It used to be politically popular to be a NIMBY, but now it is politically popular to be a YIMBY,” he said.

Paul Scully has vowed to go to war with NIMBY councils. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Premier Chris Minns has vowed to solve the housing crisis with extra supply. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Premier seized on the comments to call for a “bipartisan” approach to housing reform.

“I think there’s obviously an emerging bipartisan group that’s for change and housing reform but it’s being stopped by the leadership of the Opposition. We’re going to pursue it anyway,” he said.

In a statement issued on Monday, Local Government NSW President Darriea Turley said the state government is being “disingenuous” in criticising councils for the housing crisis.

“To play the blame game with councils in the firing line is simplistic and disingenuous,” Ms Turley said.

Mr Scully wrote to all councils last month urging them to go over and above their housing targets when considering new developments.

“I do not deny this is a difficult and challenging time, but it is critically important we undertake this shared responsibility and work together to meet that challenge,” he said.