NSW Opposition Plans High Density Housing in Sydney Labor-Greens Heartland

‘Our plan is about making sure the next generation can afford to live here too,’ Opposition leader Mark Speakman said.

NSW former Opposition Leader Mark Speakman speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia on March 31, 2020. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

The New South Wales Opposition has unveiled a plan to build up to 15,000 new homes across Sydney’s Inner West, targeting electorates held by the Greens and Labor.

The plan comes just two months after the Labor government released its own 10,000-home proposal in the city’s east, located in a Liberal electorate.

Under the Liberal-Nationals plan, new housing would be built around train stations at Erskineville, Macdonaldtown, Newtown, and St Peters.

“A staged renewal with a master planning process focused within an 800-metre radius of Erskineville station and 400-metre radius of Macdonaldtown, Newtown, and St Peters stations,” the Opposition said.

“The total investigation area would be in excess of 100 hectares,  delivering up to 15,000 new homes.”

The targeted suburbs fall within the state seat of Newtown, held by Greens MP Jenny Leong, and overlap with the federal electorates of Sydney (Labor’s Tanya Plibersek) and Grayndler (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese).

Observers note that an influx of 15,000 new homes could alter the voter makeup of these progressive Inner-West seats, making the issue politically sensitive.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the vision makes sense for Sydney.

“These are neighbourhoods with trains, hospitals, schools, and universities on their doorstep,” he said.

“Our plan is about making sure the next generation can afford to live here, too.”

Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said the existing rail and cycling network made the area ideal for higher density.

“Macdonaldtown station already has an upgrade planned, and we would improve cycleways and safer walking links,” she said.

“Just like we built the metros and light rail, we will deliver the transport that makes housing possible.”

Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow said the proposal would “protect the character” of key heritage streets while allowing new homes near stations.

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to bring new life to the inner city while protecting what makes it special,” he said. “This is about homes with heart. ”

The plan covers 100 hectares of land, mostly low-rise housing, and would include new schools, childcare centres, green spaces, and community facilities.

Political Game Emerges over New Housing

Both the Liberal Party and Labor Party appear keen to build new homes in electorates they do not currently hold.

In August, the Minns Labor Party unveiled its own housing initiative to build a new train station in Woollahra and rezone land around the Woollahra and Edgecliff stations to build 10,000 new homes.

The proposal would involve building houses in the Liberal-held seat of Vaucluse, represented by Kellie Sloane, who has been touted as a future leader of the NSW Liberals.

Premier Chris Minns said young people and families in NSW had been forced to choose between moving away from the Sydney CBD or not being able to afford a home at all for too long.

“We are delivering on our promise to rebalance the delivery of new housing from the West of Sydney that has accepted the overwhelming number of new homes without infrastructure, towards the East and North of Sydney where there is existing infrastructure,” he said on the proposal.

House Prices Rising at Fastest Rate in Four Years

The competing announcements come as housing affordability continues to deteriorate.

A Domain report released on Oct. 23 found house prices in Australia’s capital cities are rising at the fastest rate in four years.

Brisbane’s median house price rose 3.7 percent, followed by Sydney (3.4 percent), Adelaide (3.2 percent), and Melbourne (2.2 percent).