Lane Cove residents call for relocation of social housing plans for Mowbray Rd over property price, crime concerns

Plans to build a large social housing development opposite a north shore primary school have sparked an ugly debate as some locals call for the site to be relocated to ‘other parts of Sydney’ over property price concerns.

Plans to build a large social housing development opposite a north shore primary school have sparked an ugly debate as some locals call for the site to be relocated to “other parts of Sydney”.

A five storey development with a mix of 86 social and affordable apartments is proposed to be built on the site of seven homes in Lane Cove North as part of a NSW Government plan to address a shortage of social housing in the area.

The $57m development would house up to 155 tenants and provide a boost to the number of social housing units in the Lane Cove Council area which currently has just 240 units.

Seven vacant homes at the site, dating back to the 1960s, would be demolished for the development on Mowbray Rd, opposite Mowbray Primary School.

Early feedback from residents has included negative responses over the “social impact” on the area and an “impact on property prices”.

A concept image of the development.

A planning report shows some residents have also called for social housing to be moved to “alternate areas of Sydney” while other residents have raised alarm bells over potential “anti-social behaviour among future tenants” and an ”increase in crime rates”.

There have also been suggestions that it is “unsafe to add social housing opposite a school”.

NSW Government department, Homes NSW, has responded to concerns, starting that the development was designed to blend into the community, helping to reduce the stigma associated with social housing

The development would be located over the road from Mowbray Public School.

“Like other members of the community, most tenants (of social housing) are good neighbours and law-abiding people,” Homes NSW stated.

“There is no evidence to indicate that this development would negatively affect property values in the region.”

Homes NSW said a community housing provider would also be selected to manage the property and would have measures in place to “address any disruptive behaviour”.

A photo of the proposed development

The department said it was “committed to addressing the social housing needs” of the area.

Plans show the development would involve excavation, tree removal and associated landscaping.

The development would include communal open space, a rooftop garden and 42 carparks.

Of the 86 units, 43 would be dedicated as social housing and 43 as affordable apartments that could be occupied by tenants such as essential workers.

Other concerns raised in submissions have included potential traffic impacts, particularly on Mowbray Rad which already experiences heavy congestion in peak periods.

If approved, the construction of the development is expected to begin in October next year and be completed by February 2027.