Housing Strategy FAQs
What is the North District?
The Greater Sydney Commission’s Greater Sydney Region Plan, A Metropolis of Three Cities is built on a vision of three cities – Western Parkland City, Central River City and Eastern Harbour City. Greater Sydney’s three cities reach across five districts: Western City District, Central City District, Eastern City District, North District and South District.
The Ku-ring-gai Local Government Area is located within the North District which forms a large part of the Eastern Harbour City. The North District includes eight other council areas: City of Ryde, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches and Willoughby.
Has the NSW Government given Ku-ring-gai dwelling targets?
The New South Wales State Department of Planning, Industry and Environment released the 2019 population projections on 16 December 2019. The NSW government estimates that by 2036, Ku-ring-gai’s resident population will reach 147,809 people – an increase of over 20% or 25,337 new residents from 2016. The Greater Sydney Region Plan includes dwelling targets for all the Sydney Districts and has the following housing supply targets allocated to nine council areas in the North District:
Greater Sydney Region Plan - Housing Supply Targets
North District
Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Ryde, Willoughby:
- 0 - 5 year: 2016 - 2021 - 25,950 dwellings.
- 20 year:2016 to 2036 - 92,000 dwellings.
The Greater Sydney Region Plan also identifies a combined 0-5 year housing supply target of 25,950 dwellings across all nine North District Councils. The target is based on each Council’s existing dwelling delivery pipeline under current planning controls. This means there is no expectation for any further action in the immediate (2016-2021) period.
The North District Plan breaks down and divides the 25,950 dwelling target for each of the nine North District Council areas. It stipulates delivery of 4000 new dwellings within Ku-ring-gai from 2016 to 2021. Since 2016, more than half of the required housing supply quota has been met, with the remaining amount fully deliverable through current development approvals and through land already zoned for higher densities. This means that the 0-5 year housing supply target is achievable under Council’s existing planning policies and no immediate amendment to the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan is necessary.
Beyond the 0-5 year period, amendment to the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan will be required for additional housing in Ku-ring-gai. The draft Ku-ring-gai Housing Strategy was developed to cover the need for additional housing.
The Housing Strategy examined three key aspects regarding housing provision:
- Housing location - good proximity to transport, employment, services; as well as the fit with existing and future local character.
- Housing diversity – providing housing choice for a variety of household structures and life changes now and in the future.
- Housing affordability - enabling local residents and workers to live close to family, established networks and employment.
Ku-ring-gai’s 6-10 year housing target was developed iteratively through the draft Housing Strategy. The Housing Strategy outlined numbers, location and type of dwellings deliverable within Ku-ring-gai, and addressed the growing issue of housing affordability at the local level. It clarified how the additional housing provision would retain, enhance and develop local character and the liveability of neighbourhoods as stipulated in the Regional and District Plans.
What was involved in the Housing Strategy?
The Housing Strategy included an analysis of the existing and future population and determined the location, type and amount of housing required to 2036. It investigated Ku-ring-gai's housing capacity and identified suitable areas to accommodate new housing. it also examined how Ku-ring-gai’s valued local character can be supported and enhanced through additional housing.
Through the Community Strategic Plan, residents have indicated they desire greater housing choice for all age groups, while protecting and enhancing the natural environment, visual landscape and heritage character of Ku-ring-gai.
The Housing Strategy provided an in-depth investigation of these options, informed by community engagement and detailed analysis, with consideration of infrastructure provision, timing and roll out of additional housing over the 20 year period.
How was the community consulted on the Housing Strategy?
Council heard from community and groups during the Community Strategic Plan and Local Strategic Planning Statement stage.
The Housing Strategy process included several opportunities for the community to give their views, including an online survey, focus group meetings, community workshops, interviews, and newsletter and postcard distributions. The purpose of this first stage of engagement was to:
- Create awareness around key housing issues in Ku-ring-gai.
- Generate specific ideas about what options Council could pursue to address the current and future housing challenges.
- Provide community feedback on housing needs to accommodate our changing population.
A number of community workshops and focus groups were held throughout late 2019 and early 2020 to guide development of the Housing Strategy. The public exhibition for the draft Ku-ring-gai Housing Strategy closed on 8 May 2020.
Community consultation on the Strategy showed that while Ku-ring-gai needs a greater mix of housing options, growth must protect Ku-ring-gai’s unique natural environment and open space.
The North District Plan identified key considerations for the Ku-ring-gai Housing Strategy including:
- Where in Ku-ring-gai new housing will most appropriately align with existing and proposed improvements to local infrastructure including transport and open space.
- The right locations for additional housing – including areas that are unsuitable for significant change in the short, medium and long term.
- The capacity to contribute to the Regional Plan’s 20-year strategic housing target of 92,000 dwellings across the whole North District by 2036.
How is Ku-ring-gai changing?
We are getting older
By 2036, those aged 65 years and over in Ku-ring-gai will increase by almost 40% compared to 2016.
We are losing our younger people
Based on current projections, the proportion of the population in the 25–39 age group will continue to decline to 2036.
Our household structures are changing
Projections from the NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment indicate that the number of people living alone in Ku-ring-gai will increase over the next 20 years, and that the average household size will become smaller as family structures change.