The City of Sydney has developed draft planning rules for dwelling retention – also known as “no net dwelling loss” rules. The elected Council endorsed these draft rules in December 2023.

The draft changes are designed to make it harder for developers to buy up more affordable apartment blocks, and turn them into larger apartments that fewer people can live in.

Sadly this is a trend we are seeing across the city, with people being evicted from older, smaller apartments so that luxury homes and apartments can be created.

With Sydney already the second most expensive city housing in the world, and in a housing crisis where we don’t have enough homes, it is essential we protect existing housing, alongside building new housing that our city needs.  

WHAT DO THE DRAFT RULES SAY?

The draft City of Sydney rules would apply anywhere that 3 or more, or more than 15%, of homes or apartments are to be lost as a result of redevelopment.

For example, if a block of 100 units is renovated, the new building must still have at least 85 individual residences, or the redevelopment could be refused. Knocking down a small block of apartments to create a single home, under the proposed changes, would also not be allowed.

For more see: https://news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/articles/we-want-your-say-on-plans-to-preserve-the-number-of-homes-in-our-area

HOW TO MAKE A SUBMISSION

You can make a submission through the Council’s website here: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-feedback-proposed-changes-reduce-loss-of-housing         

Submissions can be as short or as long as you like. Even a short statement will do. You can include pictures and other documents if you like.

Make a submission by either:

• Filling out the survey with the simple text box here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2ZJLVJV or
• Emailing your submission to my Councillor office at [email protected] or
• Emailing direct to [email protected]/.

To help residents who would like to make a submission, we have developed a simple proforma below.

WE NEED TO GET ORGANISED, BECAUSE DEVELOPERS ALREADY HAVE

Unfortunately, we have already seen efforts by the development industry to stop or weaken these draft planning rules.

Although not public, I have confirmed that industry representatives made submissions to the NSW Government at the ‘Gateway’ stage, before the rules were approved for exhibition.

The Department of Industry and Planning has directed the Council to change the draft rules we endorsed, to:  

• Include “savings” provisions to help protect any development applications already underway, and
• Remove the Council as the final decision maker, meaning the Department or Minister will make the decision on the final rules instead.

These changes imposed by the Minister and DPIE weaken the rules, and should be opposed.  

PLEASE MAKE A SUBMISSION BY 23 AUGUST

Submissions to the Council are due by 23 August 2024. Details are here: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-feedback-proposed-changes-reduce-loss-of-housing