Ku-ring-gai mayor Sam Ngai pushes back over NSW Government plans for townhouses, flats in low rise suburbs

A government strategy to allow terraces, townhouses, and residential flat buildings low density residential zones has sparked fears the planning changes could override the ability of local councils to oppose “inappropriate development”.

A north shore mayor is pushing back against the state government over plans to allow more medium density development in Sydney’s suburbs to address the city’s housing demands.

A new strategy by Department of Planning which supports the construction of terraces, townhouses, and residential flat buildings in ‘R2 Low Density’ residential zones has sparked alarm bells from Ku-ring-gai mayor Sam Ngai over fears the planning changes could override the ability of local councils to oppose “inappropriate development”.

The NSW Government has committed to supporting the construction of 377,000 new homes across the state by 2029 – a target that will require a staggering 5200 homes to be built every month across NSW over the next six years.

Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal Ku-ring-gai Council approved just 23 new dwellings in September – compared to 401 in The Hills, 205 in Ryde, 176 in Liverpool, and 164 in Canterbury-Bankstown.

As part of the state government’s housing push, Planning Minister Paul Scully has written to mayors across Sydney stating “all councils are called to immediately play their part in identifying locations which permit more low and mid-rise homes”.

An aerial photo of Lindfield in the Ku-ring-gai Council area.

The letter states there are currently “limitations” in 33 local environmental plans – which are set by local councils – that prevent medium density homes such as townhouses and flats in R2 zones.

Mr Ngai said the “rush” by the government to boost density in Sydney’s suburbs could see councils lose the ability to appropriately plan for increased density in local suburbs.

Planning Minister Paul Scully has called for councils to support more density.

“It’s shifting the goalposts and could have unintended consequences such as significantly increasing population without necessarily providing the funding for infrastructure to support the increase.

“We already have infrastructure bottlenecks which could be exacerbated if townhouses are allowed across all low density zones.

“Even if we start a period of community consultation to ask residents where they want more density, that process wont realistically be completed within the government’s timelines.

“I don't want to be in a position where the council spends $1 or $2 million presenting options for the community to be consulted on only for the government to go ahead and impose a target anyway.”

Ku-ring-gai Mayor Sam Ngai.

In a statement, Mr Scully said the proposed changes to planning laws would support development typically seen in suburbs such as Glebe, Surry Hills, Redfern and Waverton.

“It’s surprising and disappointing that housing types synonymous with Sydney’s housing past are not permitted to be part of Sydney’s housing future, because of local planning rules,” he said.

“More housing in existing suburbs gives young people, especially, a choice to live near their parents – not be forced to live with their parents.”

Ku-ring-gai Council is not the first north shore council to raise concerns over the government's current housing agenda.

In Mosman, councillor Roy Bendall said the council was “under siege” by the state government over claims the council was not supporting enough density in the local area.

As well as allowing more density in R2 zones, the NSW Government is also in the process of finalising new housing targets for NSW councils.

The review into new targets includes identifying suitable land for increased density around Metro stations and other key transport hubs.

A Department of Planning spokeswoman declined to say when the targets would be finalised but stated: “When the work on the new housing targets is complete, they’ll be made public.”