A former NSW Liberal minister has sensationally attacked his old party after it attempted to topple Premier Chris Minns’ signature housing policy in state parliament, saying the move would set a dangerous precedent for NSW planning law.
Opposition housing spokesman Scott Farlow on Wednesday introduced a bill to parliament that would allow for the abolition of the transport-oriented development plan (TOD), saying Labor had failed to consult local communities who would be ordered to accept apartment buildings in places without adequate infrastructure.
Sydney’s housing crisis has dominated state parliament this week.Credit: Brook Mitchell
Under the policy designed to address the state’s chronic housing shortage, the development of six-storey apartment towers within 400 metres of some train stations in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle in 18 suburbs was given the green light from last month. A further 19 development zones are set to begin in June next year. Farlow’s bill could stop any or all of the 37 locations.
Former Penrith MP Stuart Ayres, who served as Liberal minister for a decade but has since taken up a job as chief executive of Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW, a lobby group that represents developers, said certainty around key policies was vital for the planning system.
“NSW is in the midst of a housing supply and feasibility crisis. Parliamentarians should be putting citizens first and working together to ensure there are more places for people to call home,” Ayres said in a statement.
“Not only would this legislation undermine the TOD program, but it would set a dangerous precedent where key policies, critical to the operation of the NSW planning system, could be abolished or amended on a whim.”
Minns earlier on Wednesday described the Coalition’s attempt to thwart the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) as cynical and completely reckless.
“If that bill passes, and it knocks over the single largest change to zoning and housing for Sydney, what’s the plan?” Minns said.