Council must learn from its mistakes if we want liveable communities
It’s one thing to approve new large-scale residential developments. Even more important is providing the infrastructure and amenties these residents will need.
If you live to the south of St Leonards Station, it’s likely you’ve been impacted by the high-rise developments near the highway.
But did you know this is part of the East Ward of the Lane Cove Council local government area?
Lane Cove Council approved these developments, but in doing so failed to look after the community they were elected to serve.
Why so much development in East Ward?
This area is an obvious location for high density development with St Leonards Station, the Metro coming, great views and proximity to Crows Nest.
But while many of these buildings are residential developments occupied or to be occupied by thousands of people, Council has done little to provide the new infrastructure, support services or green space they will need.
These thousands of community members need more than just good transport options. They need shops, health services, education facilities and recreation opportunities.
These developments are not creating sustainable, liveable communities.
More to come with St Leonards South
These pressures on East Ward will only get worse when the St Leonards South development starts to rise over River Road.
The existing 138 homes are making way for 2,000 units up to 19 storeys high between Park Road and Canberra Avenue.
This development will have minimal shops, cafes or other community facilities to create a sense of neighbourhood and belonging. And the modest park in the plan is unlikely to be seen for years.
Spare a thought for the owners of the homes in the park site who have been left in limbo, watching their neighbours sell for prices beyond belief. They have no idea when Council will finally acquire their homes and let them get on with life.
Council can do better
There are so many lessons to be learnt from the St Leonards South redevelopment story.
Council can:
Bring the impacted communities into discussions early – they must be consulted before it is too late to change proposals that will erode their amenity.
Push back on the developer demand to make more profit from every square metre of land – make them provide community benefits.
Create adequate green open space and set buildings back to ensure decent pedestrian flow – just look at the new developments on Pacific Highway to see what should not happen.
Don’t treat each development in isolation and consider the cumulative impacts on amenity, especially in terms of roads and access. We need to avoid more congestion like we see on River Road and the Christie Street roundabout.
It is crucial that Council does not limit early discussions to developers and residents who stand to make windfall profits. They will be gone as soon as they get their money, and the community - existing and new - will be left with the consequences of this rush to make a profit.
We need a Council which puts community needs – today’s and tomorrow’s - ahead of developer aspirations.
Encourage diverse housing stock and good design
Council must also recognise that this LGA needs more variety in housing stock. Not everyone wants to live in a unit. We need:
more medium density housing stock so young families and empty nesters can remain in the area they love
stock of affordable housing that makes it possible for key workers to live near their place of work
Council is in a position to enforce good design that creates inviting communities. There is the opportunity to future proof our area through measures such as using recyclable building materials, collecting rainwater and reusing grey water, and demanding buildings which have energy efficiency credentials beyond the BASIX minimum levels.
What can you do?
If you get the chance, go for a walk around the St Leonards South area and over the rail line. You can see why, with the developer pressure in our local government area, it is so important for community to be at the table early.
In the upcoming election, make sure your vote counts. Let’s elect a new council with members who will make sure the community is truly part of the decision making process.
