Why Support Woollahra Council's Alternate Approach

The inevitable claim from the Government will be that we are all NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) and it’s the rich eastern suburbs not wanting to do their share in solving the housing crisis.  But that is totally wrong. It’s about ensuring any rezoning plans are based on planning best practice and respect the heritage value of the area, so that, despite increased density, the suburb retains its charm and character and its important heritage architecture. To that end, the Woollahra Council has developed an Alternate Approach, applying planning best practices while respecting heritage. Full details can be found on the Council website here. In total, it identifies opportunities for a net increase in dwellings of between 2,200 and 3,650, depending on whether you assume 150 sqm or 100 sqm units. The report is very detailed and thorough. An overall image of what this might mean for Woollahra and Edgecliff is shown below and you can find out what this means for your own part of Woollahra on our webpage here.

This Alternate Approach, while only identifying opportunities for 25-33% of what the Government is targeting, is still extreme in some places and, in normal circumstances, there are a number of proposals that the QSWWA would oppose. For example, it proposes allowing building a 20-storey tower and a 12 storey tower on the old Paddington Bowling Club site in Quarry Street and 4 storey unit blocks along the south side of Forth Street. However, given how bad the Government proposal is with its 9,400 dwellings, this is our “least worst” option to demonstrate that Woollahra can contribute to increased housing and isn’t just a pack of NIMBYs. Please take the time to study the Alternate Approach in detail so you have something to compare the Government’s approach with once it is released. The Village Voice article on the Alternate Approach can be found here. Full details of Woollahra Council's Alternative Approach can be found on their website here.

Giles Edmonds, President, QSWWA