State moves to increase Woy Woy housing density
The State Labor Government has introduced planning provisions to increase housing density around Woy Woy.
The measures which aim to "boost housing supply around transport and town centres, improve affordability, maintain the character of an area and build better communities" were introduced on Friday, February 28.
A Ministerial media release describes "low and mid-rise housing areas" as "residential-zoned land within 800 metres walking distance from a mapped town centre or the entrance of a nominated train, metro or light rail station".
However, the Woy Woy map shows walking distances of up to 1.25km to the railway station, and around 950 metres to shopping centre entrances.
The new provisions will allow dual occupancies, multi-dwelling developments, terrace houses and residential flats in Burge Rd, Robin Cres and part of Camelia Circuit and Brick Wharf Rd, which are zoned R2 "low density" residential.
Most of the Woy Woy low and mid-rise housing areas area is currently zoned R1, where these medium density developments are already permitted.
However, new "non-discretionary" standards will apply across the area.
These will allow dual occupancies, multi-dwelling developments, terrace houses, residential flats and shop-top housing up to 9.5 metres high, with floor space ratios of up to 0.8:1 in the case of flats and shop-top housing.
Floor space ratios for terraces and multi-dwelling housing may be up to 0.7:1, and 0.65:1 for dual occupancies.
They will all be allowed where the lot width is 12 metres, except for terraces which will need a minimum width of 18 metres.
Terraces, flats and shop-top housing may be built on a minimum lot size of 500 square metres.
Multi-dwelling housing will require a minimum lot size of 600 square metres, while dual occupancies will require only 450 square metres.
Terraces, flats and shop-top housing will require only one car space for every two dwellings, while dual occupancies and multi-dwelling housing will need one space per dwelling.
Terraces and dual occupancies may be subdivided to a minimum lot width of six metres, and a minimum lot size of 225 square metres for dual occupancies and 165 square metres for terraces.
Planning Minister Mr Paul Scully said: "Without these changes, New South Wales risks becoming a state without a future because it's simply too expensive to put a roof over your head.
"The Low and Mid-Rise housing policy will reintroduce housing choice and diversity back into our communities, filling the missing middle between high-rise apartments and greenfield development.
"These changes still allow councils to assess important development conditions including parking, light access and minimum frontages."
He said sites were selected on criteria including access to goods and services in the area, public transport frequencies and travel times.
Other considerations were critical infrastructure capacity, hazards and constraints, local housing targets and "rebalancing growth".
"The Low and Mid-Rise policy has been consulted on extensively, with the NSW Government publicly exhibiting the policy and carefully considering feedback from councils, town planners, architects, developers, Government agencies, and community groups."
"Allowing low and mid-rise housing in more locations will help increase the number of homes in our state, improve affordability for renters and buyers and give people a choice on the type of home they want to live in.
"Housing choice and diversity is at the heart of the Minns Government's planning reforms - a choice of where they want to live, what kind of home they want to live in and when they want to make that move."
SOURCE:
Media release, 21 Feb 2024
Paul Scully, Minister for Planning