Matt Kean says ‘Scully skyscrapers a desperate’ solution to housing crisis

Liberal MP Matt Kean has unleashed on the Minns government over its alleged plans to ‘throw up a mini-Manhattan’, declaring it a ‘desperate’ solution to the housing crisis.

Liberal MP Matt Kean has unleashed on the Minns government over its alleged plans to “throw up a mini-Manhattan” in his backyard-dominant seat of Hornsby, declaring it a “desperate” solution to the housing crisis.

Called the Cherrybrook precinct, the area is characterised by its leafy streets and detached family homes, which often sell upwards of $2.2m. The precinct falls into Mr Kean’s seat of Hornsby, with a portion also within the Castle Hill electorate held by Mark Hodges.

With the opening of Cherrybrook Metro Station in 2019, the previous Coalition government worked with Planning NSW and local councils on increasing density around the transport hub with the three-year process arriving at the figure of 3200 new homes.

The Planning NSW website states that most of the homes will be accommodated in buildings of predominantly five storeys and three-storey terraces, with the new streets having at “50 per cent tree cover”.

However, Mr Kean said he had learned the government was looking to significantly increase the number.

How the Cherrybrook Precinct was supposed to look, with 3200 new homes, as agreed to by the former Coalition government.

It is understood Planning NSW staff have had confidential discussions with Hornsby Shire Council and Hills Shire Council on potential new rezonings within the precinct.

It was estimated the additional rezonings could lead to up to 8000 additional homes.

In a letter sent to Planning Minister Paul Scully last month, Mr Kean asked for an “urgent briefing” on the proposed changes.

“As you would be aware, the place strategy for Cherrybrook Station was approved in December 2022,” he wrote.

“The strategy was finalised following years of work and community engagement.

“I urgently seek a briefing to understand if the government is proposing to make changes to the Cherrybrook metro precinct and, if so, what those changes being considered are.”

Matt Kean has slammed new development plans for leafy Cherrybrook as a ‘mini-Manhattan’ full of ‘Scully skyscrapers’.

Despite the letter being sent on February 27, Mr Kean said he had yet to receive a reply.

He told The Sunday Telegraph he did not oppose development, but the additional development in the “quiet suburb of Cherrybrook” was not taking into account all the work done to achieve the existing housing plan.

“After years of promises, Labor have spent their first year in power achieving nothing in housing,” Mr Kean said.

“Now their desperate solution is to throw up a mini-Manhattan full of Scully skyscrapers in every Liberal seat.”

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully claimed Mr Kean had got his figures wrong. However, he defended moves to increase housing in “well-located areas” where it was possible.

“Mr Kean’s claim regarding 8000 homes in Cherrybrook is categorically false,” he said.

“Unless we increase capacity for new homes now, young people will continue to be locked out and we could lose this generation to other areas.”

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Originally published as Matt Kean says ‘Scully skyscrapers a desperate’ solution to housing crisis