Plans for 18 storey tower at 8-10 New McLean Rd Edgecliff on public exhibition

A “perfectly good” block of reasonable priced rentals in Sydney’s east could be knocked down and replaced by high-rise, with fears only 7 units out of 250 proposed will actually be affordable.

The current building at 8-10 New McLean St Edgecliff.

Plans for a controversial residential tower have sparked fears it will replace a “perfectly good”, reasonably priced unit block with just seven out of the 256 apartments planned slated to be affordable.

The controversial proposal, which has been strongly opposed by Woollahra Council, plans to build an 18 storey tower with 256 dwellings in New McLean St in Edgecliff.

The plans, which are currently on public exhibition, also include a five storey basement carpark with over 400 parking spots, and a communal open space for residents.

Despite the plan to build more than twice the amount of existing dwellings, only seven will be put aside as affordable to be rented out by a community housing provider.

Among the council’s main concerns are that it would reduce existing affordable housing in the area while increasing density.

Lauren Salvis said Sydney needed more reasonably priced rentals.

Currently, the existing building has 107 dwellings, most of which are one bedroom or studio apartments being rented out at around $600 a week.

Tenant Marisa Petito, 19, who shares a one-bedroom apartment with her partner, said a lot of the building’s residents were long term, and would find it difficult to relocate nearby.

Maria Petito said the building was a special place for many residents.

“This is a special place. A lot of people have lived here for a long time including a lot of old people,” she said

“It’s hard to find a good rental around here.”

Similarly Lauren Salvis, who has lived in her studio for three years, said it would be a “big mistake to destroy this building”.

“We don’t need more big towers, we need more reasonable rent,” she said.

Artist’s impression of the proposed development at 8-10 New McLean St.

“It’s definitely not a good idea, that’s not what Australia needs right now.”

Another tenant who pays $630 per week for a one-bedroom unit said while she doesn’t consider her rent to be “cheap”, it was “affordable compared to what’s out there”.

“If I didn’t get this place there was no other places in Edgecliff that came up in this price range,” she said.

“It’s just getting crazy out there. When I was looking at rentals in September everything was so unaffordable.”

Mayor Sarah Swan said people needed to understand the difference between what is defined as affordable housing, and housing that is actually affordable to buy or rent for first-time buyers and young people.

“We’re not sufficiently distinguishing between what is affordable as defined by the act and what is affordable for young people to buy,” she said

A sign outside the building protesting the development.

“It’s going to get rid of property which delivers actual affordable housing. Doubling the value of properties overnight doesn’t lead to affordable housing for young people.”

Edgecliff Residents Organisation manager Charlene Batson said the looming development was a “deep concern” for the close knit community.

“People like to think only the wealthy live here, but a lot of people have been here a very long time, including since the 60s, and we don’t know where they would go if you’re going to knock down a site,” she said

“The government is saying we should support this in the name of affordable housing, but they’re actually getting rid of perfectly decent affordable units with a pool. We don’t know where these people will go.”

The developer was approached for comment.

The planning proposal will remain on public exhibition with submissions open until June 24.