A mayor on Sydney's Lower North Shore has challenged the idea that more homes should be built in the area, after a government report identified the location as a cost-effective place to accommodate extra housing.
Key points:
- A new government report recommended new housing in locations already built up for cost effectiveness
- Some local council representatives said greater housing density is a concern on Sydney's north shore
- Opposition leader Mark Speakman called on the Minns government to deliver on the Metro West line first
The report from the NSW Productivity Commission, published yesterday, found the costs of infrastructure to support new homes are lowest in the CBD, parts of the Lower North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, and the Inner West.
"Building in lower-cost places can save nearly $70,000 per home to deliver the roads, train services, water and wastewater, schools, and open space we need," the report stated.
"By choosing locations well-served by existing infrastructure, we can lower the costs of growing Sydney," the report stated.
But Mosman Mayor, Carolyn Corrigan, said current infrastructure was already heavily used without the "added burden" of increased population.
"We challenge the notion that the best option for Sydney is to build more homes here," Ms Corrigan said.
"It is short-sighted to think that infrastructure that's already struggling to meet the needs of the existing population can somehow be stretched further without consequences."
Ms Corrigan said the portion of Mosman residents living in medium and high-density housing was already above the Sydney average.
She said the nearest public hospital was more than five kilometres away, playing fields were at capacity, and that major roads came to a near standstill during peak hour and on weekends.
"It's unreasonable that putting more demands on ageing infrastructure seems to be the preferred alternative to actually planning for, and building for, new communities."
The modelled infrastructure cost for a new dwelling in the North Sydney — Mosman area was $52,600, less than half that of a home built at Baulkham Hills, on Sydney's northwest outskirts.
"We can't have a situation where we add another street to the western fringe of Sydney every other week," NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
Planning Minister Paul Scully said the new government planned to prioritise infill development over greenfield development, which the report found cost taxpayers more.
"Every single one of us in Sydney and in New South Wales share part of the responsibility to deal with our housing situation," Mr Scully said.
Metro West debate
Ms Corrigan pointed out that Mosman had no rail service and that there were no proposals to upgrade major infrastructure in the area.
Neighbouring local government area North Sydney is getting two Sydney Metro stations – Crows Nest and Victoria Cross – which are due to open next year.
North Sydney Mayor, Zoë Baker, said her council was planning to accommodate increased density but urged the state government to deliver more open space, with playing fields at capacity.
"People are having to travel across Sydney in order to play football," Ms Baker said.
She said North Sydney's green space was shrinking even further because of upgrades to the Warringah Freeway and Western Harbour Tunnel.
"The reality is we're not NIMBYS. We're asking that new development makes certain that the very things people value about the place where they live aren't lost in the mix," Ms Baker said.
Opposition leader Mark Speakman said the Productivity Commission's report proved the government needed to deliver the Metro West line from the CBD to Parramatta.
The project is under review because of cost blowouts, and the government is refusing to rule out delaying or cancelling the underground rail line.
Mr Speakman pointed to the report's front cover, on which there is photograph of a Sydney Metro station.
"Not only is it so obvious, it's on the front page of the report," he said.
"The government has to cut out the meandering, the procrastinating and get on with confirming it will deliver Sydney Metro West."
The report argued Metro West would greatly improve access to jobs via public transport.
"We estimate that commuters in Five Dock can currently access only around three per cent of the jobs in Greater Sydney by public transport within 30 minutes," the report stated.
"With a Metro service in place, Five Dock commuters could reach transit hubs like Parramatta and the CBD quickly and would be able to reach up to 45 per cent of Sydney's jobs within 30 minutes.