In its contribution, the Housing Industry Association, which represents builders, told the inquiry there was a lack of transparency about how the stations were chosen. It questioned the feasibility of six-storey development in many of the locations due to the high cost of land, especially in Sydney’s inner west and north shore.
“There may need to be incentives given by government for landowners to amalgamate their blocks to make development worthwhile for the housing industry,” wrote executive director David Bare.
He warned a one-size-fits-all policy was “unlikely to work” and urged the government to place the changes on public exhibition first. “Most notably, the challenge for good streetscape and design outcomes will be tested when placing mid-rise apartments next to existing low-rise homes.”
Peter Phibbs, an emeritus professor of planning at the University of Sydney, said six-storey blocks made sense in some areas, but for many train stations and town centres, it was “not high enough”.
“Once you decide on a density, you are stuck with that for a long me,” he submitted. “If you are thinking long-term, you need to preserve those places for much taller buildings.”
Phibbs said people were outraged when they saw detached homes beside train or light rail stations, but this actually provided “an efficient land bank for future high-density housing opportunities for the growth of Sydney over the next 100 years”.
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Dozens of councils, community groups and individuals also made submissions. The Killara Lawn Tennis Club, which is close to Killara station on the north shore, said the transport-oriented development program would be “fatal” to the 112-year-old club, “due to the adverse amenity impacts of inappropriate high-rise development located on [our] immediate boundaries”.
Margret Kitson contended new apartments would not be affordable. “Currently, all affordable houses in Gordon are being knocked down and rebuilt as mega mansions and sold at triple the price of the original house. The only ones who can purchase them appear to be overseas investors,” she wrote.
“Bondi has the beach. Ku-ring-gai has its trees and gardens. This is what makes Ku-ring-gai special and this is what should be protected.”
Source Agencies
