Greater Sydney Commission holds up Riverwood as a ‘model’ for solving Sydney’s social and affordable housing crisis
BOLD new plans to accelerate development across Sydney have highlighted Riverwood as a model for social and affordable housing creation.
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BOLD new plans to accelerate development across Sydney have highlighted Riverwood as a model for social and affordable housing creation.
The Greater Sydney Commission’s draft southern district plan hones in on the redevelopment of parts of the Riverwood Estate as an example of “what can be achieved” when social housing enclaves are reimagined.
The new independent planning authority says Washington Park in Riverwood North, being developed with mixed social and private housing, is creating a “well designed, socially cohesive” community.
Another 30ha of Planning Minister Rob Stokes’ self-declared “state priority precinct” has also been targeted for up to 1200 new social homes and 150 affordable homes over 10 years.
Richard Colley, Canterbury-Bankstown Council administrator, has responded cautiously to the ambitious housing targets for the city by the GSC — more than 13,000 new dwellings in five years.
“At first glance, we welcome the focus on affordable housing but urge the NSW Government to develop a consistent framework which can be applied consistently across the state,” he said.
“In regards to the increased housing targets allocated to Canterbury-Bankstown, these are ambitious and unachievable without upfront infrastructure support from the NSW Government”.
The district plan, which includes Sutherland and Georges River LGAs, doesn’t specify how the targets would be achieved, instead putting pressure on councils to identify barriers to achieving them.
A NSW Planning and Environment spokeswoman said for Riverwood Estate in particular, a study would be carried out to “determine the suitability of the site for the proposed redevelopment, taking into consideration environmental, social and economic factors”.
“It will also determine any implications on services and regional infrastructure,” she said.
The district plan will be exhibited until March 31, 2017.
Submissions can be made at greater.sydney.
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