The impact of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms on Willoughby

The impact of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms on Willoughby

Last modified on 21 February 2025

Today the NSW Government announced Stage 2 of its Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy. It is aimed at encouraging the development of dual occupancies, manor homes (low rise apartments), terraces, townhouses, apartments, and shop top housing in areas close to centres throughout Sydney.

Within Willoughby Local Government Area, the following areas are affected (see Figure 1):

• Chatswood - 800m from the CBD area
• Roseville - parts of Willoughby LGA within 800m of Roseville Station
• Artarmon - 800m from the station
• St Leonards - parts of Naremburn and Herbert Street in Willoughby LGA
• Northbridge - 800m from the Sailors Bay Rd retail area
  
  

Within the affected areas, this means:

• Dual occupancies will be permitted on smaller lots than Council would have otherwise permitted, including in heritage conservation areas
• The introduction of higher density developments in low density areas such as terraces, townhouses, villa developments, and manor homes (two storey residential flats)
• Taller and denser apartments and mixed use development can be built in medium density zones
  
  

The changes, which come into effect on 28 February 2025, will override Council's planning controls and allow higher and denser development than is currently supported by available infrastructure and services.

Council supports and encourages strategically located growth to deliver diverse housing for its growing community. Responding to the current housing crisis, Council has already rezoned land throughout the Local Government Area to create capacity for 6,500 additional homes close to public transport, parks, schools and shops.

Council continues to raise the following concerns about the Stage 2 reforms:

• The changes add approximately 2,380 - 4,760 dwellings to Council's development capacity without any additional investment in infrastructure to support the new homes.
• There has been no analysis about the impacts of the changes on things like traffic, parking, and community facilities, which are vital for our communities.
• The Stage 2 reforms affect Council's ability to ensure our communities will remain sustainable in the future with sufficient tree canopy to combat climate change and urban heat island effects.
• The new controls make it difficult for Council to protect the unique character of our local centres. This is exacerbated in heritage conservation areas, which are not excluded from the changes.

Council will be arranging a community information session to assist residents in understanding the implications of the State Government's reforms. Details will be confirmed shortly.

Mayoral quote:

Council accepts the need to deliver more homes to address Sydney's housing crisis. We have set a positive example by rezoning capacity for 6,500 additional homes in Willoughby, close to transport, services, and jobs. These subsequent State Government interventions undermine Council's strategic delivery of new homes, damage local character, worsen congestion, and lack any contribution to new infrastructure. I urge the government to provide more bus services, schools, parks, health services, and community facilities to support this unplanned growth in Willoughby. MEDIA RELEASE

Resources:

• Council's submission to the reforms: https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/2/documents/ecm_6994761_v1_low-and-mid-rise-housing-reform-willoughby-council-submission-following-council-meeting-25-march-2.pdf
• DPE website: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/low-and-mid-rise-housing-policy
• DPE interactive map: https://spatialportal.dpie.nsw.gov.au/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=c53d5767b677454c8a26d6790a296bc2&_gl=1*1utavqy*_ga*MTEzMDQxNTE0OS4xNzI0ODEzNDM0*_ga_EM0GYT3QMX*MTc0MDExMDk4Mi4xNS4xLjE3NDAxMTE0NzIuNDAuMC4w

Figure 1: Indicative map showing areas affected by Stage 2 of the Low and Mid-Rise Planning Reforms (source: Department of Planning and Environment)

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Media at Willoughby City Council

E: [email protected]

M: 0459 915 293

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