HURSTVILLE Council has voted to close a planning loophole that has been responsible for a rush of multiple dwelling development applications which if allowed could change the nature of the low density suburbs.
Councillor Con Hindi said the problem arose when the restriction on the number of dwellings that could be built on a block was removed after the adoption last year of the new Hurstville local environmental plan and development control plan (DCP).
The old DCP required at least 315 square metres a dwelling for a strata subdivision of multiple dwellings.
But once that restriction was off the books developers saw a chance to buy up several blocks in a row and add the maximum number of villas and townhouses.
Cr Hindi said there were at least 11 applications before the council for unacceptable multiple dwelling developments.
He gave Rostrov Street at Penshurst as an example, where a developer had acquired about 2300 square metres of land.
"Under the old code, seven townhouses/villas can be built on this land," Cr Hindi said.
"Under the new code the applicant submitted plans for 17 townhouses/villas.
"This is a gross overdevelopment of the site but it technically complies with the DCP.
"I would envisage that every street in the Hurstville local government area will be filled with townhouses and villas.
"Developers will move away from neighbouring council areas and come to Hurstville."
Cr Hindi had urged the council to act, and after a recent workshop, it was decided to go back to a minimum site area of 315 square metres a dwelling in zone R2 - low density residential.
"These types of developments should be restricted to around transport hubs, parks and open spaces, but not in every suburban street."
The revised plan is on public exhibition.
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