Battle over housing heights arrives in the northern beaches

Frustration over the NSW government’s affordable housing bonus to add height and density to apartment buildings has spread to Sydney’s northern beaches, where the local council is rejecting a developer’s bid to add one or two storeys to a sprawling complex that has already been approved.

Landmark Group Australia last year got the green light to construct 219 apartments in two buildings up to six storeys on Pittwater Road, Dee Why. But they were among developers who have since raced back to the drawing board to capitalise on the affordable housing incentives, submitting revised plans to increase the number of dwellings to 280, including 49 units for low-income earners.

Developer Landmark Group Australia has approval for two apartment buildings, but wants to add height.Credit: NSW Independent Planning Commission

The Northern Beaches Council has refused to support the revised $97 million proposal, which has been referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission.

The incentives – one of the central elements in the Minns government’s planning response to the housing affordability crisis – have triggered a wave of opposition from Sydney councils.

The scheme provides developers bonuses of up to 30 per cent on height and floor space ratios if a plan dedicates at least 10 to 15 per cent of building space to affordable housing – that is, homes typically offered at 20-25 per cent below the market rate for 15 years, often managed by non-profits.

The City of Parramatta and the Inner West Council are also fighting plans to use the bonuses to add height and density to already-approved developments.

Landmark Group is proposing to lift the height of the Dee Why unit blocks by one or two storeys to seven and 10. The proposed buildings would reach 25 metres and 30 metres – above the existing maximum allowable building heights of 16 metres and 24 metres on the site.

In its assessment report for the commission, the Department of Housing, Planning and Infrastructure recommended the project for approval, arguing it supports the government’s priorities to deliver “well-located” housing.

But the council contended that adding extra height and bulk to the development – which would retain the same footprint – would be at odds with the Dee Why town centre masterplan, worsen traffic congestion and parking, and overshadow the Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden. Residents also worried about the overshadowing of neighbouring properties and losing their ocean views.

In a submission, the council’s director of planning and place, Louise Kerr, said existing development plans for the town centre would “bring the road network to full capacity”, and any extra dwellings built under the new legislation would have “extreme detrimental impacts on this road network”.

However, the department said the building’s bulk and scale would not cause unreasonable overshadowing, view or traffic impacts on the area.

“The proposed height of seven to nine storeys is consistent with the height and scale of recently completed, or under construction, [nearby] developments, and would be compatible with the changing character of the town centre,” its assessment said.

The commission is accepting submissions until December 3.

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