Inner West convenes Mayoral Summit on rezoning plans

Monday 11 December 2023

Inner West Mayor, Darcy Byrne will today convene a summit of all mayors in whose communities the NSW Government has announced new 8 high density zones. Planning Minister Paul Scully will be invited to attend the summit to discuss solutions to the housing supply crisis directly with local government leaders.

Many councils want to play an active role in finding solutions to the housing crisis, however until now local governments have not been included in the discussion about how best to increase supply.

The recent disastrous opening of the Rozelle interchange shows what happens when major change is imposed on communities without consulting the organisations that know those communities the best.

Mayor Darcy Byrne said, “We all have a responsibility to address the housing crisis, but until now local government hasn’t been included in the discussion at all.

“Everyone knows there’s more housing density coming around transport hubs and in White Bay but extending high density zoning into all surrounding suburbs is ludicrous and just won’t work.

“Why would we consider high density rezoning of the existing suburbs adjacent to the Rozelle Interchange after the traffic disaster of the past fortnight?

“We certainly won’t be considering significant zoning changes in our local suburbs until there’s a functional arterial road getting into and out of the place.

“Given the massive cost of purchasing a terrace in Rozelle and surrounding suburbs, high density rezoning wouldn’t deliver much new housing at all. You’d have to find a Saudi sheik or a Russian oligarch to afford the astronomical cost of buying up blocks of homes for redevelopment.

“Making approval for subdivision and duplexes easier will deliver more housing and public benefit in these centuries old neighbourhoods than any madcap scheme for towers.

“The Planning Department should concentrate on planning for the Bays Precinct and revealing how many homes will be approved there on government owned land as we won’t be considering ludicrous schemes for existing residential areas.”

The Mayoral Summit will be held this Thursday December 14 at a time to be confirmed with the Planning Minister Paul Scully invited to attend.

For media enquiries please contact Jonny Browne, Jonny.Browne@innerwest.nsw.gov.au