Sydney's Upper North Shore Mayor Challenges NSW Government Housing Plan in Court

The mayor of Ku-ring-gai Council, Sam Ngai, has initiated legal action against the New South Wales (NSW) government over its proposal to increase housing density in the area. This move has sparked significant controversy and debate, with the council adamantly opposing the government's plan to develop higher-density housing within 400 meters of train stations.

Why this matters: The outcome of this legal action could have significant implications for housing policy and local governance in NSW. It may also set a precedent for other councils to challenge state-imposed housing policies, potentially affecting the development of sustainable communities.

Ku-ring-gai Council, which ranks third-most advantaged local government area in Australia, voted to take the matter to court in May. The council's decision followed a series of full-page newspaper advertisements attacking the policy and urging residents to understand the potential implications of the housing plans.

Mayor Sam Ngai has declined to disclose the amount of ratepayer money being spent on these advertisements, citing commercial-in-confidence. However, he assured that the expenditure is reasonable. "It's within reason ... we would obviously not do this unless it was a reasonable amount," Ngai stated.

The council's legal action is also being funded by ratepayers, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from the community. Ngai mentioned that the legal action might not have been necessary if Ku-ring-gai had been given a deferred commencement like other councils. "That might not have been necessary had we been given 12 months of deferred commencement like other councils," he remarked.

Inner West Council, another local government area, has been granted a deferred commencement and has committed to collaborating with the state government to deliver new homes through local planning controls. Mayor Darcy Byrne of Inner West Council expressed confidence in their ability to meet housing needs without external imposition, stating, "But we believe that we can deliver new homes through local planning controls rather than imposition from above."

Opposition housing spokesman Scott Farlow noted that many councils have expressed a desire to collaborate with the state government on housing issues. "I think every council has said that," Farlow commented, highlighting the widespread sentiment among local governments.

The NSW government's plan aims to address housing shortages by increasing density in parts of Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, and the Central Coast. Ku-ring-gai Council is the highest-ranked council targeted in NSW for this increased density, making it a focal point of the policy's implementation.

The council's legal battle is ongoing, with an inquiry into the development program set to resume public hearings in June. The outcome of this legal action could have significant implications for housing policy and local governance in NSW.

The debate continues, with the balance between state-imposed housing policies and local control remaining a contentious issue, with both sides advocating for their vision of sustainable development.

Key Takeaways

• Ku-ring-gai Council sues NSW government over high-density housing plans.
• Council opposes development within 400m of train stations, citing community concerns.
• Legal action could set precedent for other councils to challenge state housing policies.
• Outcome may impact housing policy and local governance in NSW.
• Debate centers on balance between state-imposed policies and local control.