NORTHERN Beaches Council are taking strides to update the current developer contribution scheme.

At present, the scheme requires developers to make contributions towards affordable housing, either by monetary contributions or new dwellings, though the policy only applies to land rezoned for high density development.

With the housing crisis at the forefront of most Australian’s minds, and the State Governments new Transport Oriented Development policy in full swing, Northern Beaches Council are focusing on affordable housing. In the Local Housing Strategy, a target of 1,884 new affordable housing dwellings by 2036 has been set.

‘In recent years, we have seen building activity subdued, primarily due to the pandemic, high interest rates and rising building costs,’ says Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins. ‘The rate of new development is simply too slow to meet our affordable housing targets.’

With the current developer contribution scheme, new developments in Dee Why Town Centre are excluded from developer contributions, as the scheme was introduced after the land was rezoned. Northern Beaches Council are considering broadening the reach of the current scheme to better achieve affordable housing targets.

Council is concerned over the State Government’s low and mid-rise housing reforms, as they will permit development without affordable housing requirements across the local government area.

‘If these housing reforms proceed, thousands of additional dwellings will be constructed but none will be affordable or social housing,’ says Mayor Heins.

Northern Beaches Council will draft amendments to the Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme and compose a Planning Proposal for the NSW Department of Planning.