Moved by Councillor Miller, seconded by the
Chair (the Lord Mayor) –
It is resolved that:
(A) Council note:
(i)
the
City of Sydney owns the site at 54-56 Erskineville Road. The site is zoned R1
and is 300sqm of classified operational land with a height limit of 9 metres
and 3 storeys. If developed, the site could provide up to 12 social or
affordable homes;
(ii)
the
site is particularly well-suited for social and/or affordable housing given its
proximity to Erskineville station, Royal Prince Albert (RPA) hospital, primary
schools, universities and King Street;
(iii)
currently,
there are some above ground garden plots on the site. The garden is not
officially endorsed by City of Sydney, meaning it does not have the required
plans of management to ensure equitable access, health and safety and an
effective organisational and membership model;
(iv)
in
2020, the City investigated selling the land to allow affordable housing to be
built on the site. As part of this investigation alternative sites for the
community garden were identified, but none of the sites were considered
acceptable by the garden members;
(v)
the
sale of the land for affordable housing did not proceed at that time;
(vi)
the
City recognises the high demand for open green spaces for the community and the
Greening Sydney Strategy along with the Community Garden Guidelines addresses
how Council can support community gardeners in Erskineville to do this more
effectively;
(vii)
since
2020, there is recognition from community groups within Erskineville that the
housing affordability crisis has worsened, and that the delivery of local
affordable housing is critical;
(viii)
the
City has a target of 15% social and affordable housing by 2036, meaning we need
around 12,000 additional social or affordable housing dwellings to reach our
targets;
(ix)
the
City is on track to deliver more than 5,388 new affordable rental homes in
perpetuity by 2036;
(x)
the
City has already 3,338 affordable homes either built, in the pipeline or to be
expected - surpassing any other council in Australia;
(xi)
the
City’s priority is to maximise social and affordable housing in our area. We do
this by advocating to the NSW Government to maximise social housing delivered
through their developments and by effectively working with Community Housing
Providers, which are regulated and must provide housing in perpetuity; and
(xii)
Community
Housing Providers can build housing for less than councils because they can
access grants, cheap loans and tax concessions that councils cannot. Community
Housing Providers are not bound by procurement and financial restrictions like
councils; and
(B)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to:
(i)
assess
the potential of 54-56 Erskineville Road, Erskineville as a suitable location
for social or affordable housing, in line with the City’s current strategies
and targets, including Housing for All: City of Sydney local housing strategy;
(ii)
consult
or otherwise invite feedback from the Housing For All Working Group;
(iii)
explore
possible sites for relocating the community garden, in consultation with the
community and offer City of Sydney support to ensure the garden meets the
requirements of the City’s Community Garden Policy and Guidelines; and
(iv)
report
back to Council on the outcomes of investigations and next steps.
Carried unanimously.
X113761