Pittwater Life July 2018 Issue

News
Medium Density Code deferral
Northern Beaches
Council has been
granted a lastminute
deferral on parts
of the NSW Government’s
Low Rise Medium Density
Housing Code following
representation by Mayor
Michael Regan and Pittwater
MP Rob Stokes.
The Code, which will
come into effect on July 6
and was made under State
Environmental Planning
Policy (Exempt and
Complying Development),
permits attached and
detached dual occupancies,
multi-dwelling housing,
and manor houses, and
the subdivision of such
developments, as complying
development where those
uses are currently permitted
under Council’s Local
Environmental Plans (LEPs).
Mayor Regan said the danger
for residents was that had the
Code been triggered across the
northern beaches as scheduled
with the rest of NSW, it could
have resulted in higher density
development than currently
permissible under Council’s
controls – particularly in low
density R2 zones such as
across Pittwater.
“The medium density
housing code has the
potential to create ad-hoc,
unplanned development
that would have impacted
on our ability as Council to
maintain the local character
THE ‘MISSING MIDDLE’: Northern Beaches Council will investigate low-rise medium density options.
of our neighbourhoods
and put further pressure
on infrastructure and
transport,” Mayor Regan said.
“And it can be a disaster for
residents. One day you wake
up to find a notice in your
letterbox for a development
next door. You have no say,
no recourse and neither does
your Council.
“This opportunity now
gives us the chance to plan
properly for medium density
in a way that is in keeping
with our local area and
supports residents.”
The Government’s 12
months deferral is subject
to NB Council submitting
a Planning Proposal aimed
to “rectify local planning
controls to meet the strategic
intent of each Council area”.
Local MP Rob Stokes said
Pittwater’s environment and
distance from the CBD meant
that unit blocks were generally
an inappropriate form of
housing for the region.
“Instead, we need to look
at terraces and townhouses
to allow for more homes,
particularly for older people
looking to downsize and
younger families who can’t
afford a detached home on a
big block,” he said.
“This is an opportunity for
Council to have a close look
at the most appropriate areas
in our community where
our future housing diversity
needs can be met.”
Mayor Regan added he
was pleased NSW Minister
Anthony Roberts was
listening to concerns about
development, infrastructure,
affordable housing and
transport across the northern
beaches.
“We look forward to
working with the Minister
and our State MPs to ensure
we get planning right on the
northern beaches, now and
for future residents,” he said.
“Our ability to have greater
influence like this at the state
level is a positive outcome of
our new size and capacity as
a larger council.” – Nigel Wall
16 JULY 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991