Hills Shire Council suggests changes for secondary dwellings in rural suburbs

A PROPOSAL to allow secondary dwellings to be built on rural properties has been championed by the Hills Shire Council.

Hills Councillors (L to R) Robyn Preston and Mayor Michelle Byrne with landowner, Mr Rocco Polistina at his Annangrove property Tuesday July 24, 2018.. They are pushing for an amendment to planning laws to allow larger secondary dwellings to be built in rural properties. (AAP IMAGE/Simon Bullard)

A PROPOSAL to allow secondary dwellings to be built on rural properties has been championed by the Hills Shire Council.

Liberal councillors Robyn Preston and Brooke Collins called for the modification of the Hills Local Environment Plan to allow the construction of such dwellings up to 130sq m on a rural property.

The change would remove the allowance for the building to be 20 per cent of the total floor area of the main building.

“Secondary dwellings or granny flats allow a greater mix and choice of housing,” Cr Preston said. “They can provide an income stream for some households, choices in living accommodation for the property owner and a housing affordability option for lower income households.”

Hills Councillors Robyn Preston and Rocco Polistina looking over his D/A on his Annangrove property Tuesday July 24, 2018.. They are pushing for an amendment to planning laws to allow larger secondary dwellings to be built in rural properties. (AAP IMAGE/Simon Bullard)

Cr Preston said current laws around secondary dwellings were confusing and highly restrictive for property owners. She called for the State Government to support changes being made to the Hills LEP.

Cr Collins said the amendment would be a “game changer” for residents in rural suburbs.

“The people that benefit from this are from all walks of life,” he said.

“Young people, old people and everyone in between will be able to call The Hills home.” Annangrove’s Rocco Polistina said the amendment would allow him to downsize but continue to live in the suburb he loved.

“This would mean the best of both worlds for us,” he said.

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“We would be able to make a second income or provide a home for extended family.”

Mr Polistina said residents were accustomed to living in a rural settings and encouraged the State Government to back the plans.