Sydney’s eastern suburbs demand answers from NSW over Rose Bay density plans

Residents of an eastern Sydney suburb, without a large supermarket and limited transport, are demanding to know why their harbourside village was selected as a key growth area under the state government’s controversial housing drive.

Double Bay Bowls Club was packed out on Thursday night for the community forum.

Residents from an eastern Sydney suburb without a large supermarket and limited transport are demanding to know why their area was selected to be a key growth area, under the state government’s planning reforms.

On Wednesday night, the function room at Double Bay Bowling Club was packed out for a community forum regarding the state government’s low and mid-rise housing reforms.

The controversial density drive, aimed at fixing the state’s housing crisis through widespread development, has been criticised as a one size fits all approach.

The plans are particularly contentious in Woollahra, which is the seventh highest density local government area in the state.

Around 180 people attended the forum, which was hosted by state member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane, with addresses given by Woollahra Mayor Sarah Swan and Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh.

Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane.

Dozens of questions were asked including why Rose Bay was selected to be a town centre.

In her opening address, Ms Sloane said the reasons behind the government’s decision remained unclear.

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Swan. Picture: Supplied

“I don’t understand how Rose Bay was designated as a town centre, when it doesn’t have a decent supermarket. I think has a very fine Parisi’s [green grocer] and it has the Metro, but it doesn’t meet the criteria of town centre,” she said

“I don’t understand how that happened and, being quite frank, I think we need to push on that.”

Ms Swan said council had requested documentation via freedom of information in a bid to seek answers about the decision making process.

However, she said they had received only a “partial response” to their request, which “offered nothing of substance”.

Rose Bay is in the state government’s firing line for development.

A second request has been lodged, with council still seeking outstanding documents.

“We’ve made a further request, we’ll see what’s brought back and if it’s not what we’re expecting to receive then we’ll take it further,” Ms Swan said.

She said while the council’s general manager met with Minister for Housing Paul Scully last year, her own attempts at a meeting had been unsuccessful.

“I’m happy to read through the number of occasions I’ve asked for a meeting and just no response, not being taken seriously on such a serious issue is immensely frustrating,” she said.

Kellie Sloane Member for Vaucluse and Mayor of Woollahra Sarah Swan.

Similarly, Ms Sloane said she believed her attempts at advocating for the community were falling on deaf ears.

“We’re at the table, we’re speaking with them, they nod, they listen but I just don’t know if it’s making a difference,” she told the room.

One woman suggested it was time to mount legal action to challenge the criteria in which Rose Bay was selected a town centre.

Another issue raised was concern the increased apartments would skyrocket in value, making downsizing unaffordable for empty nesters and purchasing impossible for first time buyers.

Speaking to this masthead after the forum, Ms Sloane said there was “a lot of anger in the community”.

“Many people have told me these planning change have come out of the blue for places like Rose Bay that are smaller villages, not big commercial districts,” she said.

“Unfairly, people think the east is anti-development. That’s simply not true. The people in the room want development, but we want sensible development that will uplift and add value to our community.”

When approached for comment, Mr Scully said he’d “be happy” to meet with Ms Swan.

“I am happy to meet with the mayor so she can attempt to outline how a suburb with three supermarkets, a Bunnings and good transport links is not a good place for additional low and mid-rise housing,” he said

A spokesperson from the Department of Planning said Rose Bay was well placed for the density drive, following comprehensive consultation.

“Rose Bay, which is less than ten kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, is well placed to provide a diverse range of new homes for more people, in a place where they want to live,” the spokesperson said.