Hornsby Council calls for planning discussion over seniors housing
HORNSBY Council wants an urgent meeting to highlight NSW Government inconsistencies that promote seniors’ housing in rural areas — following several applications in the South Dural precinct.
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HORNSBY Council is seeking an urgent meeting to highlight inconsistencies of NSW Government planning policies that promote seniors’ housing in rural areas — following several applications for seniors housing in the South Dural precinct.
Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said he was calling for council to approach Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to put inconsistencies about seniors housing planning under the spotlight.
Cr Ruddock called for the government to halt site compatibility certificates for seniors housing “until a clear vision for the region is prepared including an infrastructure and funding plan to cater for existing and future development”.
“The issue needs to be dealt with urgently and if we are going to be planning South Dural, it needs to be done consistently,” Cr Ruddock said.
Two site compatibility certificates have already been approved in the region, with one located on Old Northern Rd, South Dural, for the proposal of a senior housing development comprising of more than 100 beds.
“We are looking at in excess for 1000 dwellings, meaning a third of the dwellings proposed for South Dural is for seniors living,” a council spokesman said.
Councillor Emma Heyde said there was extreme concern in the community with a historic number of submissions surrounding proposed development in South Dural, while Councillor Nathan Tilbury said he feared the possibility of “development by stealth”.
“It is a loophole in NSW planning that is in desperate need to be closed,” Cr Tilbury said.
The call by Hornsby Council came before NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts announced proposed changes to planning rules for seniors’ housing, to provide certainty on new developments and prevent incremental growth in unsuitable locations.
“These proposed changes will ensure that the unique character of the rural space around Sydney is not undermined and senior’s housing is built in suitable locations,” Mr Roberts said.
“While current rules for seniors housing on the edge of urban areas are helping us to deliver more housing to meet the growing demand for seniors living, it’s important that we provide local communities with clarity about what development will be allowed.”
Mr Roberts explained that under current legislation, seniors’ development could occur on land adjoining areas zoned urban by applying for a site compatibility certificate.
Residents can make a submission on the proposed changes by visiting planning.nsw.gov.au/seniors.