Randwick LGA proposes five major housing precincts, minimum lot size slash

A council’s proposal to build five major housing precincts and change zoning, height and density rules to meet state government targets is out for public comment, as residents warn of a “David and Goliath” fight to keep the character of their suburbs.

Five new groups of housing blocks are on the cards across east Sydney as Randwick Council races to keep up with the development goals of the state government, despite claiming it is vehemently opposed to overdevelopment in the area.

The minimum lot size for dual occupancy would also be slashed significantly if the council’s revised Local Environmental Plan goes ahead.

Resident groups have slammed the proposed changes as further threatening the character and culture of an LGA with a beautiful coastline and precious green space.

The new precincts proposed in North Kensington, Randwick and Kingsford South would create an extra 574 new homes and be made possible with changes to zoning, height and density rules.

Generally, council is proposing the uplift,or maximum height, of each area increase by between five and eight storeys.

Arthur St: current and potential new housing.

Randwick Council Mayor Dylan Parker said the proposed increase in dwellings is to ensure it can meet the NSW Government’s mandated target of about 4,464 new homes in six to 10 years.

“Council shares the concerns of many community members about over population and increasing densities without the appropriate infrastructure,” he said.

Magill St: Arthur St: current and potential new housing.

“We have been vocal in objecting to NSW State Government housing targets, but the reality is we don’t have a choice.

“To limit the impact of these housing targets, our draft LEP proposes the additional housing in areas well located to public transport, jobs and shops”.

New artist designs have revealed the potential look of the new buildings, which include potential new builds in these areas: Arthur St in Randwick, Alison Rd in West Randwick, Doncaster Ave in Kensington North and Anzac Prd in South Kingsford.

Kensington North: Arthur St: current and potential new housing.

In the photo collages provided, the left image shows the current buildings below the existing building height and the right image shows the current permissible building heights in a red dash against the proposed future height of the buildings.

A council spokesman said these show “possible future built form scenarios to illustrate how the Housing Investigations Areas (HIAs) might be developed over time, with examples of buildings that have appropriate setbacks, building articulation, a mix of materials, balconies and green spaces,” the spokesman said.

West Randwick: Arthur St: current and potential new housing.

A further 474 new homes are projected to be built through slashing the minimum lot size for dual occupancy from 400m2 to 275m2, which is “designed to support a housing type that is popular with families and to permit either strata or torrens titling of lots”.

A dual occupancy is two dwellings on one lot of land that can be attached or detached.

Founder of the Randwick Heritage Action Group Linda Avramides said residents were fed up with the endless development in her area in what was a “David and Goliath” fight.

South Kingsford: Arthur St: current and potential new housing.

“We know it’s the State Government driving everything and we would like them to reassess their cookie cutter policies,” she said.

“We don’t need high rises in Randwick and Coogee. It’s destroying the village atmosphere. Parking is already difficult and they’ve cut so many bus routes so there is no capacity for it to get even more crowded.”

“Council has obliged to keep our heritage but they constantly let us down.”

Under the comprehensive planning proposal to amend Randwick Council’s LEP, there would be more than 50 new heritage items, as well as a new heritage conservation area.

The LEP proposal is now on public exhibition until July 12.