On 10 January 2025, Planning Minister Paul Scully implemented a new high-rise (9 storey) zoning across a 400m radius around the railway stations of Dulwich Hill, Ashfield and Marrickville.
 
Scully introduced these Transport Oriented Development (TOD) controls because Inner West Council did not complete its homework to prepare more locally-responsive planning controls in these areas by a 31 December 2024 deadline. 
 
Scully’s decision arrogantly over-rules requests by Inner West Council and Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen to defer implementing the TOD controls until Council prepared its alternate controls in April 2025.
 
Neither the Council nor Ms Haylen have made a public comment on the issue following the implementation of the controls.
 
Scully’s introduction of the zoning controls is a disturbing decision. Developers may immediately start lodging unit block development applications - all while Council rushes to prepare a whole new set of plans by April.

What a shambolic planning environment!

Mayor Byrne has previously said he is not concerned about the introduction of TOD controls because they will not be feasible. The professional advice to support this statement has not been released.
 
Some of the unnecessary and unwanted impacts of the newly announced TOD controls include:

• Just 2% of new dwellings will be affordable. How does this help improve housing affordability? 

• Landholders have had no notification about the changes, what it means for their property or consultation on how they feel about it. How does this demonstrate respect for local people? 

• No planning study has been published for our area.

• Inadequate planning, and funding for, infrastructure including schools and community services. 

• Blocks and neighbourhoods on the edge of the 400m radius are split in two between high and low-density zones. Some neighbours will be over-looked and over-shadowed by adjacent high-rise development. There is even one semi-detached house that will have one half rezoned to 9 storeys while the other half remains low rise!

• More than 200 properties in heritage conservation areas are in the firing line for demolition (one third of the TOD has a heritage overlay)

• Owners of small lots and several listed heritage items may find developers are not interested in buying their lot, leaving them isolated and surrounded by 9 storey developments

• Significant destruction of trees and wildlife. Any remaining bandicoots living in the biodiversity corridor around the GreenWay will be trashed along with all the backyard habitats for small birds, pollinators and microbats. 

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Dulwich Hill must play its part to deliver additional housing.
 
But surely this is not the way to do it?

Unfortunately, it is not easy to view the zoning maps online. Please follow the instructions on this page to do this.

This unofficial map may also help.

While the zone supports a seven storey (22m) height limit, this can be increased to nine storeys (29m) if the developer provides temporary affordable housing. 

 

Community meeting 

 

To respond, we are advocating for "good planning in Dulwich Hill".We are holding a community meeting on the afternoon of Sunday, 16 February to allow people on this email list and other local residents to learn more about the TOD zone and to explore what future planning could or should look like in our suburb (and Marrickville West which is also affected by the TOD).

 

Online registration is required here.
 
Approaches from developers
 
It’s possible developers will start approaching property owners to sign deals.

Please be very wary and get sound legal and financial advice, from a professional not associated with the developer, before signing anything. 
 
Some deals could lock you into an arrangement which prevents you from selling the property to anyone but the developer for a period of time for a certain price. 
 
However, planning controls are likely to change again in April 2025 - leaving you high and dry - see the council media release here. 
 

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