Fears boarding house decision could ‘destroy’ northern beaches

The Northern Beaches Council has lost a court battle to halt the building of a boarding house — and there are concerns that loss could cause a ‘domino effect’ across the peninsula, including having an impact on planning around the new hospital in Frenchs Forest.

An artist impression of a boarding house at Sydney Rd, Fairlight.

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The council has lost a court battle to halt the building of a boarding house — leading to fears the ruling will cause a “domino effect” along the northern beaches.

Northern Beaches Council unsuccessfully tried to halt the building of the 20-room property at 130 Frenchs Forest Rd, Frenchs Forest, in the Land and Environment Court arguing it was “not compatible” with the surrounding area.

Boarding houses around the Northern Beaches Hospital have been planned. Picture: Artist Impression.

But judges ruled on behalf of the developer — a decision mayor Michael Regan described as “disappointing”.

“I support boarding houses in the right locations,” he said. “Next to jobs, fast public transport and when they are properly planned. But right now you can tick half a dozen loose boxes and have them in residential streets.”

He described the court’s decision as concerning, adding: “It will potentially have a domino effect.”

He said he feared the ruling could jeopardise the council’s Northern Beaches Hospital masterplan, which has been submitted to the State Government.

Current boarding house applications

Frenchs Forest: 26 Frenchs Forest Rd (18 rooms); 22 Frenchs Forest Rd (20 rooms); 130 Frenchs Forest Rd West (20); 6 Gladys Ave (31); 16 Gladys Ave (103); 10 Naree Rd (39);

Dee Why: 22 Redman Rd (15); 11 May Rd (122); 727 Pittwater Rd (26).

Forestville: 12 Darley St (22).

Cromer: 17 Toronto Ave (22); 33 Carawa Rd (10);

Belrose: 14 Wyatt Ave (27)

Brookvale: 5 Fitzell Pl (24)

Narraweena: 810 Willandra Rd (28)

Fairlight: 195 Sydney Rd (75)

Allambie Heights: 139 Allambie Rd (14); 60 Binnalong Ave (36)

“Years have gone into the development of the masterplan,” he said. “It’s disappointing an application that is out of step with the masterplan can be approved thanks to state government rules that override local controls.”

It comes as more than 20 proposals for boarding houses across the northern beaches remain active.

They include a 75-room building in Sydney Rd, Fairlight, an 82-room facility in Gladys Ave, Frenchs Forest and 122-rooms in May Rd, Dee Why.

Gopala Maurer, president of the Northern Beaches Strategic Community Group, said the proposed boarding houses will destroy communities if allowed to go ahead.

Gopala Maurer, president of the Northern Beaches Strategic Community Group. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

“The intensification is just too much,” she said. “You buy a house in a suburban area because you want a suburban, quiet lifestyle. ”

She said they not only damage the lives of neighbours through traffic, parking, noise and lack of services, but also potentially damage the lives of occupants.

“It is like living in a tiny box. They are high-density often with no green space, tiny living spaces and sometimes rooms don’t even have windows. It is not a healthy environment, particularly for mental health.”

She said it was “too easy” for developers to build boarding houses in R2 residential zones which are supposed to be restricted to low density developments.

There are boarding houses planned for Dee Why. Picture: Artist Impression.

“All they have to do is tick a few boxes. One of the main ones is that they must be within 400 metres of a bus stop. You are never far from a bus stop on the northern beaches.”

She added that even when developments are refused by the Local Planning Panel, applicants are confident they can successfully appeal in the Land and Environment Court.

An artist impression of a boarding house at Frenchs Forest. Picture: Artist Impression.

Several of the current applications are the subject of appeals. They include Sydney Rd, Fairlight, May Rd, Dee Why and Fitzell Place, Brookvale. Late last year the State Government proposed amending planning guidelines to limit the size of boarding houses to 12 rooms in R2 zones. However, to date no action has been taken.

Mr Regan urged Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to make the changes immediately and also back date the policy to include current applications.

Urban Taskforce boss: boarding house stigma unfair and not helpful

Chris Johnson of the Urban Taskforce. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian

Chris Johnson, chief executive of the Urban Taskforce, said the problem with boarding houses is the name.

“When people hear boarding house they are remembering the old fashioned interpretation of a boarding house,” Mr Johnson (pictured) said.

“I think it is highly unfortunate and I think it is because the name is stigmatised.

“If they were called ‘key worker rental housing’ or something like that then I think people would probably be more reasonable.”

He criticised Northern Beaches Council for “not being open to” boarding houses, adding: “We need more affordable rental housing and boarding houses are perfect for this.

“They are now well designed and put together. They are nothing like they used to be.

“They should be part of the housing mix in the northern beaches.”