But many city Labor MPs campaigned against perceived overdevelopment before the election and are now urging caution about higher density in inner suburbs,in a major test of Minns’ mettle.
Attorney-General Michael Daley,who campaigned against overdevelopment in his Maroubra seat,said he had always acknowledged Sydney was a growing city and all communities needed to take their “fair share of the burden” of that growth.
“What communities want,however,is a planning system that delivers development which is appropriate for their area,that is not excessive,that is well-connected and serves a growing city well,and that has not always been the case,” he said.
Daley defended Randwick City Council,which isobjecting to developer Meriton’s proposal for 814 apartments in neighbouring Zetland,saying Randwick had always exceeded its housing targets.
“The people in my area have watched their local area grow and change for the last 50 years,and we’ve never had a problem accommodating more growth. What we do have a problem with is when developers ask us to accept ridiculous proposals,” Daley said,referring primarily toMeriton’s plan for 1900 apartments at Little Bay.
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig,whose seat of Heffron includes Rosebery,Mascot and Zetland,is due to speak at a public meeting on Thursday opposing the 800 Zetland apartments.
Organisers claim the area is “already at maximum capacity”,lacking public transport,green space and social infrastructure. Hoenig’s office did not return calls.