Council statement on transport-oriented development announcement
Published on 03 May 2024
Ku-ring-gai Council has called for more consultation and infrastructure investment in areas affected by the NSW Government’s transport-oriented development plans.
The first stage of the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) planning reforms was implemented on 29 April through an amendment to state planning legislation.
The TOD planning controls will commence on 13 May and apply to areas around Roseville, Lindfield, Killara and Gordon railway stations.
According to the state government’s website, the following controls will apply to new development in these areas:
- A 22 metre height for residential flat buildings and a maximum height of 24 metres for buildings containing shop top housing
- A maximum floor space ratio of 2.5:1 allowing for buildings of up to 6 storeys
- The introduction of a minimum lot width of 21 metre and no minimum lot size
- A 2% mandatory affordable housing contribution for developments with a minimum gross floor area of 2000sqm.
- No change to heritage clauses in local environmental plans. Applications involving heritage considerations will continue to be lodged with and assessed by councils.
Mayor Sam Ngai said that while the government had made some concessions regarding site consolidation and floor space, the underlying issues of infrastructure, urban tree canopy and heritage remained unresolved.
“Despite the government’s claims about heritage, it is inevitable that local controls on heritage, setbacks and tree planting will be fatally weakened if they are not consistent with delivering the target height and floor space ratios.”
“Our other key concern is that over $1.5 billion will be generated by state taxes on new development but not a single cent has yet been committed to infrastructure.”
“The government’s mantra is that existing infrastructure can accommodate all this population growth and people will be using public transport to get around.”
“Everyone knows this is a fairytale. Ask anyone trying to get to work on time in Sydney or enrol their kids into local schools.”
Mayor Ngai said the government must also commit funds to acquiring land for public parks. ““Open space cannot be retrofitted and there will be no backyards for children to play in.”
He added that a 2% affordable housing component in new developments was ‘tokenistic’.
“A commitment of just 2% for affordable housing is pandering to developers, not essential workers.”
Mayor Ngai said the push for increased density was also endangering Sydney’s tree canopy targets of 40% by 2036.
“The Planning Minister is on a collision course with his Minister for the Environment if this issue is not addressed.”
ends
Media enquiries: media@krg.nsw.gov.au Ku-ring-gai Council 9424 0000