Pittwater Online News

NSW Government's Low and Mid-rise Housing policy – Exemptions for Avalon, Newport, Palm Beach: Residents Associations Responses

The NSW government has confirmed that Avalon Beach, Newport and Palm Beach have been exempted from mid-rise developments in Stage 2 of its Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, which took effect on 28 February.

Under the policy, Mid-rise housing is “generally 3–6 storey apartment buildings.”

Low rise housing is “generally 1–2 storeys and includes dual occupancies, terraces, townhouses, and low rise apartment buildings”. (Dept of Planning) In Pittwater, only Mona Vale, as a town centre, will be subject to the development of mid-rise housing.

Under the new policy, amongst other factors, exclusions apply to:

• land with a high risk from natural hazards like bushfire and floods
• land that contains a heritage item

See; Mona Vale Set to Become the Dee Why of Pittwater Under NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise policy

Due to its geography Avalon Beach is at risk from both bushfire and flooding. Risk from these factors is increasing with changing weather patterns. Safe mass evacuation is also difficult because of the lack of suitable roads and other transport options.

Craig Boaden, President of APA, said, “APA wishes to thank the Minister for Planning and the Premier for recognising the risks in Pittwater generally and in Avalon Beach particularly.”

He went on to say, “We also wish to acknowledge the strong representations made to Ministers and the Premier by the local Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby MP.”

Mr Boaden said that APA members, who are residents of Avalon Beach and surrounding localities, had been deeply concerned that, under the government’s housing reform policy as originally proposed, 6-storey blocks of apartments and shop top housing up to 6 storeys might be approved, which would destroy the character of Avalon Beach.

“Blanket application of the housing reforms would have badly affected the outstanding natural heritage of Pittwater overall and Avalon Beach especially, and undermine Northern Beaches Council’s Northern Beaches Tree Canopy Plan (2023) and the recently exhibited Tree Management Policy.” Mr. Boaden stated

See: Just Two Trees (the Great Ruskin Row): Council's Draft Tree Management Policy Opens for Feedback - Closes March 30

Late last week Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby called on the government to pause all development at Mona Vale until the public transport issues that have recurred from January 2025 are fixed and the Mona Vale Road West project has been completed.

See: Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby calls on Minns government to shelve Low to Mid-Rise Housing until the bus crisis - Mona Vale Road are fixed 

See: New Bus Timetable Leaving Commuters Stranded Along Essential Routes, again

See: Pittwater MP shows NSW Premier unfinished Mona Vale Road West Construction site

Newport Residents Association President Gavin Butler said, ''This is great news for Newport (and Avalon)  in that we do not have our building heights increased beyond the current allowed under the Newport Masterplan for Newport which on Barrenjoey Rd with appropriate setback can go to 3 storey (11.5 metres). Under the Minns government proposals, and allowed elsewhere, the policy would have allowed up to 6 storeys in Newport town centre and within 400m of the town centre and up to 3 storeys  within 800m of the town centre.''

''The NRA presumes the lack of movement forward by developers around Robertson Rd precinct has been attributed to the uncertainty in buildings heights that may have been allowed under the original Minns government announcements and welcomes the clarification of these planning controls.''

''The NRA welcomes these announcements which currently confirms the Newport Masterplan as the primary determinate of building heights, setbacks and format.'' Mr. Butler said

Robertson road, Newport, 6.30am on a Sunday

Barrenjoey road Newport, 6.30am on a Sunday

Prof. Richard West AM, President of the Palm Beach Whale Beach Association, stated this was an excellent result for Pittwater and particularly Palm Beach and Whale Beach, where past instances of landslips, bushfire risk and flooding and the geography precludes large scale developments.

Prof. West will provide a fuller response later this week, given Palm Beach and Whale Beach is already seeing some developments which exceed 2 storeys in some zones being supported by the council, and ignoring the still in place DCP and LEP.