State government wants Georges River Council to investigate more housing supply options

A south Sydney council could be in the firing line with the state government if it does not identify ways to increase housing supply and meet targets.

A south Sydney council could be in the firing line with the state government if it does not identify ways to increase housing supply and meet targets.

The state government has asked all councils, including Georges River, to review and identify areas where terraces, small unit blocks or well-designed mid-rise apartments could be permitted.

Georges River is one of 33 councils in greater Sydney that does not permit terraces, townhouses and two-storey residential flat buildings known as manor houses in low density residential zones, nor are the latter permitted in medium density residential zones.

In October, Planning Minister Paul Scully wrote to mayor Sam Elmir about the need to allow for more housing in low and medium density zones to help increase supply and diversity of homes across suburbs.

“Research consistently shows that there is unmet demand for additional small apartment and low-rise multi-dwelling housing options as well as purpose-built rental and affordable and social housing,” he said.

Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“I am asking you to begin work identifying locations and permitting more low and mid-rise homes immediately.

“I urge you to look at your policy setting with the aim of expanding the number of homes in your local government area.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns, giving his address at the 2023 Daily Telegraph Future Sydney Bradfield Oration. Picture: Richard Dobson

Last week The Daily Telegraph reported councils which did not pull their weight when it came to addressing Sydney’s housing crisis would be in the firing line of the NSW Government, with Premier Chris Minns saying he “won’t be afraid to use” state government powers to speed up housing delivery.

He said Georges River Council averaged more than 200 days to process development applications.

A report to Georges River Council discussing the letter from Mr Scully said the council had not meet its six to 10 year housing target of 3450 to 4250 dwellings as part of its local housing strategy.

The department indicated in March 2020 that there was a current pipeline 2019/20 to 2023/24 of 3150 dwellings which was a gap of 300 dwellings.

The Department also said the council would struggle to meet its zero to five year target of 4800 additional dwellings, with the shortfall being 700 dwellings.

The council report said there had been issues delivery housing supply after the Mortdale and Beverly Hills local centre master plans were scaled back from 969 to 575 additional dwellings and 1500 to 970 additional dwellings respectively.

The council also has not begun it commercial centres strategy due to budget constraints with resources being allocated to the ongoing revisions of the master plans.

The council report identifies options to address the state government’s request including preparing a planning proposal to permit multi-dwelling housing in low and medium zones.

Option two would involve changing upzoning from medium to high density zoning; which includes Lily St in Hurstville, Kingsgrove, Oatley West, South Hurstville, and Mortdale/Penshurst.

The council also noted that other areas including Cahill St, Morgan St and Stoney Creek Rd could be investigated for housing options.

The council report recommends that a series of workshops be held with the councillors based on wards to discuss ideas and options for creating opportunities to increase the supply of diverse housing.

The report and letter will be discussed at the next council meeting on November 27.