State Government reviews rules that sparked boarding house boom

THE State Government is reviewing planning rules that have sparked an explosion of boarding house applications in the Randwick City area.

(L-R) Francine Symonds, Lisa Walpole, Andy Laban and Kim Reddin are concerned about a boarding house earmarked for 65 Willis St and 27 Meeks St at Kingsford. Picture: Craig Wilson

THE State Government is reviewing planning rules that have sparked an explosion of boarding house applications in the Randwick City area.

A spokesman for Planning Minister Rob Stokes confirmed to the Courier that a review of the Affordable Rental Housing State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) was currently being conducted.

Heffron MP Ron Hoenig said provisions in the SEPP relating to boarding houses should be amended due to the “invasive effect” on local planning and the quality of housing being built.

Heffron MP Ron Hoenig at intersection of Botany Rd and Gardeners Rd, Mascot. Picture: Craig Wilson

“The Affordable Housing State Environmental Planning Policy is allowing overeager developers to bypass council’s controls and build cheap, low quality, high density boarding houses in medium to low-density residential areas,” he said.

The SEPP was introduced to allow low cost accommodation for socially disadvantaged people and low income earners but has prompted a boarding house boom in Randwick, Kingsford and Kensington with 30 development applications lodged last year and 32 expected this year.

On Tuesday, Randwick Council refused a proposal to build a four-storey boarding house with 36 bedrooms at 65 Willis St and 27 Meeks St.

Mr Hoenig said boarding houses could be built in low-density residential areas if they were within 400 metres of a bus stop and had one car spot for every five rooms which could be just 12sq m in size or 16sq m for two people.

“I don’t think that these insufficient design standards are appropriate for affordable housing,” he said.

65 Willis St, Kingsford. Picture: Craig Wilson

27 Meeks St, Kingsford. Picture: Craig Wilson

“I think it’s possible to build decent quality housing for low-income earners, students and key service workers, without building boarding houses that aren’t fit for the people living inside.

“Affordable housing shouldn’t be a punishment.”

Mr Hoenig said some boarding house rooms were being rented out at $300 a week.

“They are being run as profit centres by developers, who have no interest in building affordable housing, but rather are capitalising on a provision in the AHSEPP which lets them build a lot, fast,” he said.

A motion passed by Randwick called for a review of how effective the SEPP rules were and actions that might improve their application.

Randwick doctor Ian Andrews, who lives next to a boarding house, said the rules allowed developers great advantages and huge developments, “far greater than allowed to normal residents of Randwick”.

“The SEPP has admirable aims but they are being subverted by the developers,” he said. “Property developers develop property for profit.”

Boarding houses delivered returns three times greater on average than conventional property development, Dr Andrews said.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP is currently under review. Picture: Martin Lange

“Most highlight delivery of accommodation to students and young moderate wage earners, not the disadvantaged.”

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes said: “Affordable housing is a crucial part of all our communities. Everyone wants it, but it can cause challenges at a local level.

“The government is constantly looking for ways to ensure that social affordable housing is made available to more people so we have an equitable city.”