Mona Vale is the only town centre in Pittwater singled out under new Low to Mid-rise development planning reforms announced by the NSW Government. This is despite nearly all of Pittwater’s villages meeting the government’s criteria.
Local MP Jacqui Scruby, who opposed planning laws for Pittwater and campaigned to keep planning in local control to protect the natural environment and character, declared it a ‘big win for Pittwater.’
“One of my core election promises was to save Pittwater from the Minns Government blanket planning reforms. My first meetings included the Minister for Planning and the Premier making strong representations that Pittwater’s unique geographical location, infrastructure constraints, including the unfinished Mona Vale Road and bus transport, and the high flood and bushfire risks make it inappropriate for blanket planning laws. I argued strongly that planning controls should remain with local government, so decisions could be made on an individual basis by the council, the council, and they can meet our housing targets strategically.”
The newly announced planning rules will allow 2-3 storey terraces, townhouses, low and mid-rise apartments and shop-top housing within R2 zones, within 800 metres of Mona Vale town centre. Mona Vale also has some R3 zones that will permit six storeys within 400m of the town centre and four storeys between 401m-800m of the town centre.
“Under the reforms, Pittwater could have faced 6-7 storey 21m tall apartment towers in nearly all our villages, including Avalon Beach, Newport, Narrabeen and Warriewood.
“As an independent I work across party lines and negotiated with the Minns Government to deliver this win for the Pittwater community. I am happy to have delivered it. I thank the Minns government for their genuine engagement with me and with Northern Beaches Council in understanding the real constraints and risks of our area,” said Ms Scruby.
“Sydney will grow, and the Northern Beaches will also grow, and these policies will deliver diverse housing in the southern Northern Beaches, for families and essential workers like nurses and bus drivers, close to where they work. In Pittwater we welcome sustainable development and are happy that this will continue to be led by council, with community consultation, rather than under blanket planning rules that would by-pass the local council process. This way we keep our existing local input on all planning decisions, outside of Mona Vale town centre.”
Ms Scruby acknowledged the work undertaken by Northern Beaches Council and its consultation with the Department of Planning.
Mona Vale is one of nine town centres declared for the Northern Beaches, that will help the Northern Beaches meet its housing target of 5,900 new homes by 2029. The Department of Planning has provided a mapping tool for users to identify which properties will come under the new planning laws.