Hawkesbury City Council welcomes the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s decision to exempt the local government area from its proposed Low-and Mid-Rise Housing SEPP.
The NSW Government’s planning reforms propose allowing residential flat buildings of 3-6 storeys, terraces, townhouses, duplexes and smaller 1-2 storey apartments in suburbs where they aren’t currently permitted – with a focus on significantly increased housing densities near established town centres and train stations.
At Council’s February meeting, Councillors rejected the plan on the basis of flood risk, local heritage and insufficient infrastructure to support a significant increase in population and population density that would be generated through the proposed planning reforms.
Council provided a detailed submission to the Department based on these serious concerns. On Friday, a letter was received from the Department informing Council that the Hawkesbury had been exempted from the proposed planning reforms.
Hawkesbury City Mayor Sarah McMahon said the exemption was a welcome relief for the Hawkesbury.
“The Department has made the right decision and we welcome their thorough consideration of the concerns that we raised,” Mayor McMahon said.
“Our town centres are iconic for a reason. We have carefully managed their development and growth over many years to ensure they retain their community feel and their heritage values. These reforms would have substantially changed all of that.
“Additionally, after eight floods in four years it is abundantly clear that a significant increase in population in the Hawkesbury posed an unacceptable risk to current and future residents.”
Council will continue in conversations with the State Government to address the current challenges and future aspirations for developing in the Hawkesbury.
