Decision details

Moved by Councillor Ellsmore, seconded by Councillor Maxwell –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         at the March 2026 Council meeting, Council endorsed the Housing For All Discussion Paper. The discussion paper has been prepared to guide a conversation between Council, the community and other key stakeholders - including housing providers, industry, peak bodies, and the NSW Government - about where and how more additional housing could be planned in the City of Sydney Local Government Area;

(ii)        the discussion paper includes a wide range of suggestions and ideas;

(iii)       it identifies public land owned by the NSW Government which has previously been proposed or approved to allow for greater density;

(iv)       the discussion paper also notes a number of historic public housing sites that are not currently proposed for redevelopment by the NSW Government and requests community feedback on whether this public housing should be changed to deliver more homes;

(v)        the City of Sydney has a strong history of advocating for the protection and expansion of public housing, as well as ensuring public housing tenants are genuinely consulted and involved in any discussions about suggested changes to their homes; and

(vi)       when Council endorsed the public exhibition of the Housing For All Discussion Paper in March, it confirmed the consultation would be carried out “subject to the inclusion of tailored engagement or consultation with public housing tenants”;

(B)       Council further note:

(i)         the consultation for the Housing for All Discussion Paper was launched in April, just before the Easter Long Weekend. It closes on 22 May 2026;

(ii)        notice of the Housing for All Discussion Paper is proposed to be included in the Lord Mayor’s Social Housing Forums; however, a number of these events are scheduled after the close date for submissions; and

(iii)       at its April 2026 meeting the Multicultural Advisory Panel was provided a briefing on the Housing for All Discussion Paper. The panel recommended more time be provided for submissions; and

(C)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to extend the consultation period for one month (until 19 June 2026), until after the Lord Mayor’s Social Housing Forums, to allow more time for genuine community engagement and feedback.

Carried unanimously.

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