Public forums on new housing policy
Published on 06 June 2024
Ku-ring-gai Council will hold a series of public forums in June and July to explain the NSW Government’s ‘low and mid-rise’ housing plans and their potential impacts.
The Council voted in April to hold the forums as a means of raising public awareness of the government’s new housing policy.
The forums in June and July will focus on the ‘low and mid-rise’ component of the state government’s plan to provide Sydney with 377,000 new homes.
The low and mid-rise housing provisions are due to come into effect later this year. They propose terraces and manor houses (two storey apartment blocks) on sites within 800 metres of all train stations, and other major retail areas such as St Ives Shopping Village.
Dual occupancies would also be allowed in most residential zones across NSW, providing a site is larger than 450 square metres.
The other component of the state government’s new housing plan is the ‘transport-oriented development’ (TOD) program, which came into effect on 13 May.
In Ku-ring-gai, this will allow 6 to 7 storey apartment buildings on most sites within 400 metres of Gordon, Killara, Lindfield and Roseville railway stations.
The public forums are free to attend and ward-based. Attendees can register online to attend their ward forum. For a list of dates and venues visit krg.nsw.gov.au/housingcommunityforums
Mayor Sam Ngai said the forums were being arranged to ‘explain to local residents what these changes mean for them and their neighbourhood.’
“The government has not consulted communities in detail about the impacts their policies will have on local suburbs and infrastructure. Council is here to provide the clarity.”
Mayor Ngai also called on the government to rethink the policy and allow councils to consult directly with their communities on where new housing should go.
“Our residents should have input into where new housing is built, as well as the infrastructure required to support it.”
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Media enquiries: media@krg.nsw.gov.au or 9424 0000.