References
FOKE BRIEFING NOTE FOR MEETING with Paul Fletcher, MP for Bradfield Thursday 1 February 2024 10.00 am
Ku-ring-gai Council receives Independent Assessment into the potential ecological impacts associated with the NSW Government Planning reform: the TOD SEPP and the Low-Mid rise Housing Policy (v1.0) from Land Eco Consulting (6 February 2024).
Ku-ring-gai Council receives Independent Heritage Advice on the proposed changes to NSW Planning System and the implications for Ku-ring-gai’s heritage by Lisa Trueman Heritage Advisor (8 February 2024).
Ku-ring-gai Council submission on Transport Oriented Development (20 February 2024).
Budget Estimates 2023-2024 – PC 7 – Hon Paul Scully MP – 27 February 2024
The CHAIR: Are you aware of Ku-ring-gai Council’s independent ecological assessment that shows that the mid-rise set will result in the loss of some 32,000 trees—
Mr PAUL SCULLY: I’m aware of the claim.
The CHAIR: —and a 50 per cent application would result in the loss of 16,000 trees?
Mr PAUL SCULLY: I’m aware of the claim. Look, there is a fact sheet here, that I’ve got multiple
copies of and I’m happy to table so everyone can have a look at it, on the mid-rise—
The CHAIR: Minister, I think everybody has seen the website.
Mr PAUL SCULLY: No, I don’t think a lot of people have actually looked at it, because—it’s clear that they haven’t read it at least, if they have looked at it. This might help. And again, I’ll defer to Ms Gibson about the detail of some of this. But in our analysis of those claims of Ku-ring-gai Council, they actually don’t stack up.
The CHAIR: In terms of the vegetation and tree cover loss?
Mr PAUL SCULLY: Yes. Do you know why? Because vegetation policies still apply, right? But
Ms Gibson might be able to take you through some of the detail.
The CHAIR: But Minister, we accept, like in any planning process, when you have non-refusal
standards, any of those tree policies, any of those vegetation policies, they will ultimately—
Mr PAUL SCULLY: No, that’s not how it works.
The CHAIR: —where they don’t live consistently—
Mr PAUL SCULLY: This is why I offered, and suggested, that early on today Ms Gibson outline what
non-refusal standards actually means, because it saves this line of questioning—which is going to go round and round in circles.
The CHAIR: Thank you. Can you sit here right now and guarantee that the 162 hectares of critically endangered Blue Gum High Forest and the 217 hectares of critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest will not be reduced—
Mr PAUL SCULLY: Who is proposing it?
The CHAIR: —as a result of your planning reforms in the next five, 10, 20 years?
Mr PAUL SCULLY: I’m not going to guarantee something for 20 years, but—
The CHAIR: Okay. Fine, thank you.
Mr PAUL SCULLY: Hang on, can I answer the question?
The CHAIR: You are guaranteeing here, you are telling this Committee to accept your 15—
Mr PAUL SCULLY: No, I’ve said I will not guarantee something in 20 years’ time. Again, Ms Gibson
may wish to outline how non-refusal standards work.
The Hon. MARK BUTTIGIEG: Point of order—
The CHAIR: Can I redirect you, Minister, please?
The Hon. MARK BUTTIGIEG: Point of order, Chair.
The Hon. SCOTT FARLOW: You’re not going to get this one up, Mark.
The Hon. MARK BUTTIGIEG: Chair, I’ve taken a point of order. With all due respect, Chair, I don’t
think it’s fair on the Minister not to allow him to articulate a thorough answer when you’re asking him direct
questions.
The CHAIR: I accept that.
The Hon. SCOTT FARLOW: There you go—you did.
Mr PAUL SCULLY: Very generous of you, Chair.
The CHAIR: How about could you guarantee that those vegetation amounts that I have just stipulated
to you—
Mr PAUL SCULLY: Is there a planning proposal to undo some of those vegetation amounts? I’m not
aware of one—is anyone else?
The CHAIR: Minister, I’m just finishing the question—will not be reduced between now, five, 10 or
15 years? We will stop at 15 years because you are planning for 15 years with your affordable housing. So
15 years, those vegetation sizes in hectares will not be reduced as a direct result of your planning changes that
you’re seeking to introduce through the TOD SEPP?
Mr PAUL SCULLY: I don’t believe they will. However, I’m happy to take the detail on notice because
I’m not aware of any actual planning proposals that are planning to cut all those trees down.
Paul Fletcher MP for Bradfield makes Constituency Statement Speech for the Bradfield on Urban Planning changes affecting Ku-ring-gai (28 February 2024):
https://www.paulfletcher.com.au/parliamentary-speeches/bradfield-electorate-urban-planning
FOKE Talk, March 2024
ABC Stateline TV Report: NSW government’s rezoning plans spark concern overdevelopment could ruin heritage Heritage Homes
11 Mar 2024 #ABCNews#ABCNewsAustraliaThe NSW government’s plans to rezone land to tackle the housing shortage have triggered fears overdevelopment will ruin the heritage character of their neighbourhoods. Critics of the proposal, which includes properties near dozens of train stations to allow higher housing density, say it has a ‘blanket’ nature.
NSW government’s rezoning plans spark concerns overdevelopment could ruin heritage | ABC News
The NSW government’s plans to rezone land to tackle the housing shortage have triggered fears overdevelopment will ruin the heritage character of their neighbourhoods. Critics of the proposal, which includes properties near dozens of train stations to allow higher housing density, say it has a ‘blanket’ nature. Subscribe: http://ab.co/1svxLVE Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-1… ABC News provides around the clock coverage of news events as they break in Australia and abroad, including the latest coronavirus pandemic updates. It’s news when you want it, from Australia’s most trusted news organisation.
Transcript
Oh preferment business La devotions of the great Northshore I don’t want to say it’ll become a slum but it’ll certainly change the Australian Dream It’s a necessary push that we need um for the future don’t pull down our heritage our history Heritage and housing are not mutually exclusive if you are a stranger to this North Shore you must first realize that this Railway line is more than just a way to work for the well-dressed commuter of this area on the leafy upper North Shore it’s not just the trees that endure so this property one of the most beautiful Federation properties in the street it will go this Century old home lies in ne of Ku-ring-gai council’s Heritage conservation areas protected from development for now if they implement the policy in April just as proposed then then yes it will destroy the character the existing character of Ku-ring-gai that policy is called the transport oriented development program the men’s government announced it in December to tackle the state’s housing shortage and meet nationally agreed targets we have 5 years under the National Housing Accord so there is a sense of urgency here the program is set to rezone land around 39 transport hubs to increase housing density with the first stage starting in late April are you a Nim absolutely not I support as do most of the residents around here the government’s policy objectives of increased density we all have children we want to see our children live in Sydney as well all we are saying is don’t mindlessly draw concentric circles around a railway station without reference to what is there land within a 400 m radius of stations is set to be rezoned for midrise apartment buildings four of these precincts sit within the Ku-ring-gai local government area almost half of the homes inside the radi are subject to council Heritage protections last month the council lodged a submission against the reforms and it doesn’t make sense to us when there are other stations closer to the city across the road from Gordon station are lowrise buildings the proposed planning controls would allow these to be replaced with apartment blocks Rising as high as 21 M that’s 6 to7 stories depending on the 5height of each level just because a building is six stories tall doesn’t mean that it’s not appropriate for a Heritage Conservation Area down the railway line in Roseville empty nester recks Chadwick has already received several letters from developers interested in buying his house the danger is if one goes then you have the domino effect everybody goes with all these buildings going up I think it’ probably take away from the from the uniqueness of the area longtime locals may remember a similar battle in the 2000s that played out on a previous incarnation of State Line we’ve got to get more densities do you accept that we have to have more densities um we have never been anti-development we have to accommodate a million people within the next 20 to 25 years you accept that and you don’t have to do that by destroying the advantages this city has but not all Northshore dwellers oppose the plan I do not see how I can afford to live in cringy near my family and an area where I’ve lived for most of my life now Michael Clayton is of a generation increasingly shut out of the housing market because of low Supply and high prices he says yes in my backyard to development councils have been dragging their feet especially Ki I do believe that it’s a bit selfish to live in a big home with a giant big backyard um when you could have multiple dwellings under the national agreement the state government has committed to delivering more than 300,000 new homes by eight Sydney locations have been designated accelerated precincts high and midrise housing will be permitted within 1200 M of rail and Metro stations there among those is Hornsby a lot of this broad brush approach has the capacity to provoke very significant problems for the local community you can put increased density in areas which are prone to bushfire is that a good idea some labor Mayors have spoken out against the government’s approach to densification the fact that they haven’t consulted with anyone is really getting people offside despite Penrith’s mayor publicly backing Chris mins last month we all have to do a heavy lifting not just Western Sydney Penrith Council ultimately decided not to support another plank of the planning reforms that is the rezoning of land less than an 800 M walk from stations and town Town centers for low and midrise housing the changes are expected in the middle of the year and would cover much of the inner West including historic [Music] Haberfield the first houses in the Stanton subdivision of Haberfield went on sale in 191 the year of Australia’s Federation the entire suburb is a Heritage Conservation Area they are all worthwhile saving will there be anything to prevent a building of historical significance from being demolished absolutely I mean to suggest otherwise is completely unfair completely untrue so who will get to decide what’s worth keeping and what’s not uh will councils will still be able to make that decision councils are not convinced the advice that all local councilors have received from their staff is that the government’s rezoning proposals will supersede the council’s Heritage controls that is not correct um count the Heritage controls that remain in a council’s development control plan remain still the density debate remains as Evergreen as the old trees north of the bridge Alexander Lewis ABC News Sydney
(FOKE) submission on the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the development of the Transport Oriented Development Programme (27 March 2024).
FOKE writes to Premier Chris Minns asking questions about the finanacing of the Transport Oriented Development and Low to Mid-rise Housing Policy (3 March 2024).
FOKE makes a submission on the Draft Guidelines for Synthetic Turf in Public Spaces to the NSW Government (15 April 2024).
Ku-ring-gai Council Extraordinary Meeting, Wednesday 8 May 2024 6pm
Public hearing – PC 7 – Planning system and the impacts of climate change – 10 May 2024
Ku-ring-gai Council vs NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces lodged with the NSW Land & Environment Court (10 May 2024).
FOKE presents evidence to the Upper House to the Transport Oriented Development Inquiry (20 May 2024).
PC7 – Planning and Environment – Development of the Transport Oriented Development Program (21 May 2024)
FOKE AGM where FOKE President Kathy Cowley presents President’s Report (22 May 2024).
Public hearing – PC 7 – Planning system and the impacts of climate change – 17 June 2024
FOKE Talk, July 2024
Public hearing – Development of the Transport Oriented Development Program – 18 July 2024
Public hearing – SD – Ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services – 30 Jul 2024
Local Government NSW letter 22 August 2024
Budget Estimates 2024-2025 – Hon Penny Sharpe MLC – 29 August 2024
Budget Estimates 2024-2025 – Hon Paul Scully MP – 30 August 2024
Upper House Inquiry Report into the Development of the Transport Oriented Development Program (15 October 2024).
FOKE meets with Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Mayor Cr Christine Kay (11 November 2024).
FOKE submission to NSW Office of Local Government regarding Councillor conduct and meeting practice review (28 November 2024).
Upper House Inquiry Report into Planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities (19 November 2024).
FOKE Newsletter December 2024
FOKE submission on Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Alternate Housing Scenarios submission to Ku-ring-gai Council (10 December 2024).
Watch ABC News program NSW government’s rezoning plans spark concerns overdevelopment could ruin heritage, 10 December 2023 HERE
Watch ABC News about the Land and Environment Court has rejected a plan to build high-rise developments across Ku-ring-gai in Sydney’s north, 28 July 2011
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