Woolworths Faces Criticism Over Affordable housing Component in North Sydney Development Plan
NORTH SYDNEY - Woolworths is facing scrutiny over its proposed development on Sydney’s North Shore, with concerns raised that the supermarket giant is leveraging an affordable housing component to gain approval for a significantly larger building. The company has applied to the Department of Planning for a rezoning review that would allow it to increase the building’s height from 31 metres to 44 metres and expand the maximum floor space.
The development’s inclusion of affordable housing is a key consideration in its request for State Critically important Development (SSD) status, which would bypass local council approval and allow Woolworths to seek planning permission directly from the state goverment. SSD designation is granted,in part,based on criteria including affordable housing provisions.
North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker is advocating for any affordable housing units included in the project to be offered “in perpetuity,” meaning permanently, to match the lifespan of the increased building height and density. “The increased height and density will remain for the life of the building and the affordable housing component ought to, too,” she said.
NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully stated the state government supports affordable housing in new developments, “whether its for 15 years or in perpetuity,” adding that a 15-year provision would “help NSW to have a rolling supply of affordable housing stock.”
Woolworths’ development application seeks to increase both the height and floor space of the proposed building, potentially setting a precedent for future developments utilizing affordable housing as a pathway to increased density. The Department of planning will now review the application and consider the rezoning request.
