Clover Moore letter to Planning and Shadow Planning Ministers on Explorer Street Eveleigh

Rezoning of Explorer Street, Eveleigh

At its meeting on 12 December 2022, Council unanimously resolved that I write to you following the announcement that the social housing estate in Explorer Street, Eveleigh, would be rezoned by the State Government under their Rezoning Pathways Program. I enclose a copy of the Resolution of Council.

Under the Rezoning Pathways Program, the NSW Government will forcibly take over rezoning of 10 sites across NSW from local Councils, including the Explorer Street site in the City of Sydney.

I request that planning powers be reinstated to the City of Sydney Council for the Explorer Street social housing estate in Eveleigh, and for all other social and affordable housing sites in our Local Government Area into the future.

Local Governments are best placed to consider plans relating to the development and rezoning of land. Appropriate consideration should be given to dwelling mix and maintaining family housing in the provision of public housing.

The Department of Planning and Environment is also consulting on a proposal to extend the existing self-assessment powers of the NSW Land and Housing Corporation. This will create a State Significant Development pathway for all its development above that self-assessment threshold. This is part of the proposed amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021.

Together with the Rezoning Pathways Program, the proposed amendments work to exclude Councils entirely from the assessment process for social and affordable housing development sites in their Local Government Areas.

This expansion of State planning authority, where the State is both the planner and developer, leaves insufficient checks and balances to deliver good social and affordable housing development outcomes that also meet the expectations of our community.

I have also written to the Minister / Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces about this matter.

If your staff would like to speak with my office about this request, please contact my Policy Manager, Maria O’Donnell, on 02 9265 9500 or at modonnell@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Yours sincerely

Clover Moore

Lord Mayor of Sydney

17 January 2023

Encl. City of Sydney Council Resolution on Explorer Street Eveleigh