State Government still yet to approve planning proposal submitted over two year s ago
The City of Ryde's efforts to increase affordable housing in the local community continues to face inexplicable delays, with a n affordable housing planning proposal submitted over two years ago by Council still awaiting approval from the State Government.
The City of Ryde has committed to ensuring that five per cent of all new dwellings built in the local government area by 2031 will be affordable housing for key worker households on very low to moderate incomes.
As a way to help meet the target, the Ci ty of Ryde submitted a planning proposal to the State Government in September 2017 for the inclusion of affordable housing provisions in the Ryde Local Environmental Plan.
The planning proposal would require developers to include affordable housing within residential development s either through specified floor space or a monetary contribution.
The requirement is known as inclusionary zoning and would effectively ensure developers contributed to affordable ho using in a consistent manner.
But now over two years since the planning proposal was submitted, the NSW Government has still yet to grant approval to place the planning proposal on exhibition and take it to the next stage in the planning process.
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, said the extended delay was unacceptable.
"We have an emerging crisis with housing affordability in the City of Ryde with more than 10,000 key workers expected to be living in housing stress by 2031," Clr Laxale said.
"G iven this, you have to ask why this State Government is sitting on its hands and continuing to hold up the implementation of real reforms which will help provide housing to those who need it most.
"The only winners from this delay are developers. Instead of providing a much needed community asset.
they're pocketing extra profits.
"Two years is long enough. It's time to help the mo st vulnerable in our community. The City of Ryde is genuine about housing affordability and we are seeking urgent approval of our planning proposal so that we can help tackle housing affordability in Ryde."
The Greater Sydney Commission's Metropolis of Three Cities report states that affordable housing targets generally in the range of five to ten per cent are viable within Greater Sydney.
Under Council's planning proposal, developers would be required to contribute two per cent of the total floor area to affordable housing for developments in medium and high density zones as well as town centres.
That figure increases to seven per cent for developments that result in a change in the zoning of the land.
