Pleas by the residents of Mortdale and Beverly Hills for a delay in the approval of Masterplans that would see radical upzoning for higher density in their suburbs will be considered by the NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes.
Georges River Council has a statutory obligation under the Deed of Agreement (Accelerated Local Environmental LEP Funding Program), which was signed in June, to complete the Masterplans before 30 October, 2021.
Previoulsy, various Sydney councils received $2.5 million in funding for accelerated reviews of their LEPs to meet NSW Government's housing targets
But this week's council meeting unanimously agreed to support a Notice of Motion by Councillor Kathryn Landsberry calling on the General Manager to urgently write to the Planning Minister extension of the council's deadline obligation.
The draft Mortdale Masterplan proposes 969 new units and buildings of up to nine-storeys in the local centre, while the draft Beverly Hills Masterplan includes plans for buildings of up to 10-storeys in the commercial centre and four-storeys in surrounding streets and the compulsory acquisition of properties to make a new street.
Rachel Zhang's house in Norfolk Avenue, Beverly Hills is earmarked for compulsory acquisition.
Mrs Zhang said she only found out from a local real estate agent.
"Council said it conducted extensive community consultation including owner interviews," Mrs Zhang said.
"However, not one council employee has ever spoken to me or my husband. None of the other property owners were consulted before July 2020.
"Many families in Beverly Hills are of non-English speaking background and are unaware of the Masterplan.
"I never imagined that my home with all its precious memories of our family growing up would be taken away from us. We don't want to move."
Bob Jones presented a petition with more than 1,000 signatures calling on council to halt the progress of the Mortdale and Beverly Hills Masterplans until COVID-19 restrictions are completely lifted to allow residents full face-to-face consultation on the Masterplans.
"Council has not connected fully with the entire community Beverly Hills and Mortdale, particularly older residents who do not have internet access or are residents of non-English speaking background," Mr Jones said.
Pran Pilay said the proposed plans do not reflect community expectations.
"Feedback clearly indicates that residents do not want high density, high-rise buildings as Mortdale is currently at our above maximum density levels," Mr Pilay said.
"Regarding the director's claims of Statutory Obligations under the Deed of agreement, is there not a Statutory Obligation for councillors to ensure Masterpans represent community expectations?" he said.
Mayor Kevin Greene said there had been plenty of community consultation including a forum held at Beverly Hills and attended by the General Manager, Gail Connolly and Councillor Vince Badalati.
Councillor Landsberry urged councillors to support her Notice of Motion.
"My blood runs cold when I hear the words 'compulsory acquisition' and I personally can't support that," Cr Landsberry said. "I don't think it is a very ethical thing to do.
"The changes flagged in these Masterplans are scary.
"I think we can present a really strong case to the Minister for a decent extension so that the new term of council can consider the Masterplans in the new year."
