Randwick Council’s breakthrough on K2K strategy
Randwick Council’s plan to take control of development along the light rail corridor is moving “in the right direction” following a major breakthrough in its tussle with the Planning Department.
Having been stuck in planning limbo for more than two years, Randwick Council’s plan to take control of development along the light rail corridor is finally moving “in the right direction”.
The council’s $300 million Kensington to Kingsford Planning Strategy, known as the K2K strategy, had been the subject of a back-and-forth with the Department of Planning since it was drafted in late 2016.
Disagreements over the number of dwellings and the council’s Community Infrastructure Contributions — an extra charge on developers to help deliver $80 million in community space — had been the sticking point.
But the Department in December issued a reviewed gateway determination accepting council’s CIC, but asking to redraft the planning proposal for clarity on its intention before the planning proposal goes before the council in the next few months.
It has also backed down on its call to add an extra 600 dwellings to the 1500 new homes proposed by the council, to be concentrated in clusters on Anzac Pde including in three towers up to 18 storeys high.
But the council will look to spread out the additional 600 dwellings throughout the local government area.
“The process has taken more than two years and we’re pleased that it is finally moving in the right direction,” Randwick Mayor Kathy Neilson said.
Cr Neilson said the project was designed in response to potential pressures on the Kensington and Kingsford town centres, as developers began submitting unsolicited high-rise proposals following the announcement of the light rail.
She said the strategy would provide a much better outcome for the community by holding developers to account through the community infrastructure charges.
“Kensington and Kingsford will enjoy a range of other public benefits such as community and innovation hubs, new cycle facilities, 200 affordable housing units, water sensitive urban design, innovative waste collection systems and undergrounding powerlines,” she said.
“The findings of the Independent Planning Commission (in October) supported council’s innovative strategic planning approach and, importantly, supported council’s Community Infrastructure Contributions mechanism.
“At this point the Planning Proposal is being supported as originally submitted to the (Department) in January 2017.”
Cr Neilson said the planning proposal required some “minor adjustments” to bring it up to speed due to the fact it was prepared in late 2016.
It will then go before the council before being put on public exhibition.
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