St Leonards, Crows Nest 2036 homes plan stirs protest
Planning officials say their vision for St Leonards and Crows Nest includes green space and services funded by developers, after a residents’ rally against “overdevelopment”.
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Planning officials say their vision for St Leonards and Crows Nest includes green space and services funded by developers, after a residents’ rally against “overdevelopment”.
Organisers claimed about 500 people joined the rally at Ernest Place, Crows Nest, on Saturday to show their frustration with the towers and many homes planned for the St Leonards and Crows Nest priority precinct.
The government has outlined how it proposes the area change to provide 7,525 more homes by 2036.
The vision is contained in its draft ‘St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036’ plan.
However, former North Sydney Mayor Genia McCaffery, now spokeswoman for rally organiser “Overdevelopment — We’re Over It”, said there was anger over what was proposed.
She said poorly-planned building development would result in traffic congestion, more overshadowing and more demand on schools and parks.
She wants the government to ease off providing for high density buildings in the area, starting with those earmarked above the Sydney Metro underground train station at Crows Nest.
Two 27-storey residential towers, a 17-storey hotel and eight-storey office building are proposed.
“The government is proposing gross overdevelopment there,” Ms McCaffery said.
“They are using the planning powers given to them to build railways, and misusing them to provide private development above the site.”
Speakers at the rally included candidates for the March 23 state election from the Greens and Labor, as well as independents.
Ms McCaffery said she was disappointed a Liberal could not find the time to speak at the rally.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Planning and Environment said three councils and the community helped inform its draft plan, and feedback would help develop the final one.
An expanded Hume Street Park, and a foreshore to foreshore link between River Road and the Pacific Highway are part of the draft.
Developers would pay a contribution to cover the cost of providing infrastructure such as roads and paths, according to the Planning spokeswoman.
Funding has been allocated in the state budget for a primary and high school at St Leonards, she said.
The government says the 7525 homes it proposes to provide by 2036 is 4700 more homes than allowed by councils’ plans.