Ku-ring-gai Council seeks to protect our precious architectural heritage
With a number of Ku-ring-gai’s heritage conservation areas under threat, the Council is stepping in to protect the architectural legacy of the area.
The NSW Government has implemented one of the most far-reaching policies on new housing in decades, part of which comes in the form of Transport Oriented Development (TOD). TOD planning controls, which came into effect from 13 May this year, introduced a blanket 6/7 storey height rule for unit developments near Roseville, Lindfield, Killara and Gordon railway stations.
However, in a bid to preserve the character of these locations, Ku-ring-gai Council has resolved to seek NSW Government support for an interim heritage order (IHO) within 400m of the stations, while the Council undertakes planning studies for new housing in these precincts. If implemented, the order would offer temporary legal protection to properties within 23 heritage conservation areas, however it still requires approval by the NSW Minister for Heritage.
Ku-ring-gai Council has previously committed to undertaking housing studies in the four station zones, with these studies likely to be exhibited in late 2024 and then returned to Councillors for a decision by February 2025.
Mayor Sam Ngai said the Council recognised the need to deliver additional housing in these precincts, but it needed to be properly planned. “The uplift required by the TOD policy is far greater than anything previously requested by the NSW Government. In 2020, our draft plans for these precincts involved 3,700 new homes but we are now required to deliver 20,000 new dwellings. Our infrastructure plans need significant rework to give these new residents the infrastructure and amenities that they deserve. However, this TOD policy bypasses proper planning by indiscriminately allowing 6-9 storeys with no regard to any existing natural or built environment. This includes our Federation and Inter-war heritage conservation areas which are incompatible with 6-9 storeys.”
Mayor Ngai said that Council is identifying alternate infrastructure and dwelling-distribution scenarios which may provide longer-term protections to heritage while simultaneously increasing the liveability, viability and speed of delivery of housing in the area.
“We will be seeking your input from October and provide residents with certainty through a decision early next year. But until then, our heritage conservations areas are under threat,” he said. “It is a sensible short-term measure which creates (in part) a similar effect to the deferred commencement that the NSW Government has given to other councils. All that we need now is a Heritage Minister who demonstrates her commitment to heritage.”
While creating more housing is a nationwide issue that needs addressing rapidly, we support the Council’s decision to go about this in a carefully planned, sensitive manner. If you’d like more details on the NSW TOD policy and Ku-ring-gai Council’s response, go to www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Planning-and-development/Changes-to-NSW-Government-housing-policy/Transport-Oriented-Development
An early Spring market
Looking ahead, it appears that Spring may come early for our Upper North Shore market. Our numbers at Chan Yahl highlight an increased level of enquiry by vendors keen to sell in August and September, reflected in the high numbers of appraisals and properties being prepared for sale. We expect this trend to continue throughout the remainder of 2024, which will come as welcome news for buyers looking to secure a move before Christmas.
