March 12th marked the start of what could be a train of community protests across Sydney in a bid to push back the controversial Transport-Oriented Development scheme (TOD), which targets medium and high-density apartment builds, with North Shore residents at the front of much of the pushback.
Residents may have noticed the ‘Minns Wrecking Ball’ signs recently erected around train stations and local shop strips. These signs are hard to miss and represent a community group that is taking action to support their cause. The first protest was held in front of the NSW Parliament in the Domain, and more protests may follow.
A mix of residents from the Inner West, Blue Mountains, Hills Shire, and North Shore came together with banners and posters in hand, anxious about the possibility of their local community being destroyed or permanently changed by developers.
The term ‘not in my backyard’ or, more commonly, ‘NIMBY’ undoubtedly became the general energy among the crowd. While community activism is always admirable, the protest seemed more about keeping the developments out of protesters’ localities than a genuine concern for affordable housing or the housing crisis itself.
Partnering an ageing population with a growth in young families seeking housing, it seems more than necessary that the government endeavour to make something practical happen.
Understandably, the landscape change will never sit quite comfortably with Sydneysiders who have lived most of their lives in Sydney; many would be happy for Sydney to remain the exact way it is from now on. However, the changes need to happen to give young people and new families a chance to share that same sense of security.
Threatening with a wrecking ball suggests the destruction of Sydney as we know it a metaphoric stretch, but the protesters’ opinions were heard.
However, with pressure to fix a growing housing crisis, the question remains: Are these protests helpful in any way? What solutions do they offer besides a staunch ‘No’ to the housing crisis?
We are continually told that something needs to be done and that exploring other viable options would be a better approach to the housing crisis. But the reality is that the majority against NSW Premier Chris Minns’ development scheme are not bringing any other practical alternatives to the table, rather than remaining completely anti-development.
Nevertheless, the demonstration saw some notable speakers, including Member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher, Member for Wahroonga Alister Henskens SC, MP, and Mayor of North Sydney Zoë Baker.
