New rules put pressure on boarding house developers

Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig has declared a “significant victory” for residents fighting over development in areas such as Kensington especially in around a requirment for boarding houses.

Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig says new parking requirements will give power over boarding house proposals back to councils. Picture: John Appleyard

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An MP has declared a “significant victory” for residents fighting over development in areas such as Kensington.

The Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policy was amended without fanfare in June to include a requirement for each new boarding house to provide half an off-street car space for each bedroom.

Previously a parking space was only required for every five bedrooms.

The site of a proposed new generation boarding house in Kingsford at 65 Willis St and 27 Meeks St.

Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig, who has been campaigning for a change in the policy, said it drastically undermined the business model of greedy developers.

He said developers had been using the policy to avoid council planning rules and increase densities in low-density residential zones.

This has been particularly prevalent in areas around UNSW to cater for students.

However, the new off-street parking requirement will make it much more difficult, Mr Hoenig said.

“This is welcome news for residents in the Randwick area who have put up with developers running riot in their streets for far too long. This chance will give the power back to local councils to decide whether they want boarding houses in their area, or not.”