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SAVE MONA VALE
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Mona Vale Residents Association
Mona Vale District Association (affiliated group)
MONA PLAN PLAN GROUP (affiliated group established 2017)
SOS SAVE MONA VALE "VILLAGE" CENTRE FROM HIGH-RISE
Save Mona Vale Centre from High-Rise Over-development Despite Limited Public Transport, Infrastructure and Services. Population to double.
Please Sign OFFICIAL Petition
Save Mona Vale Centre from High-Rise Over-development Despite Limited Public Transport, Infrastructure and Services. Population to double.
Please Sign OFFICIAL Petition
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SOS MONA VALE Save Mona Vale from Government 6+ Storey, High Density Unplanned Over-development Despite Poor Public Transport, Infrastructure and Services - Population to Double Council, MVRA, Community Groups objected to the Government's radical plan for 6+ storey high density un-planned over-development.
Contact: Mona Vale Residents Association (MVRA)
MVRA is a community advocacy group based in the Pittwater region of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. MVRA is a member and supporter of SAVE OUR SUBURBS COALITION, CITY INITIATIVES GROUP and Better Planning Network. Overview & Advocacy The association focuses on preserving the "village character" of Mona Vale mixed-use centre, protecting residential amenity from inappropriate 6-8 storey high-rise developments and ensuring that local planning and development is sustainable and community-led (in the broad sense).
The association remains active in opposing specific 6-8 storey high-rise developments and advocating for community-led planning and urgent Government funding of local infrastructure:
Mission: Creating and Protecting Places for People & Nature
Our mission builds on participatory governance and best practice urban design protocols centred on creating and protecting places for people and nature.
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- AMENDMENTS TO THE NSW HOUSING SEPP IMPLEMENTING GOVERNMENT 6-7 storey MID-RISE BUILDING HEIGHT AND DENSITY CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE. THEY APPLY TO MONA VALE & SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
- several improvements via "refinements" to the GOvernment policy WERE MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT arising from strong Council and community OBJECTIONS, submissions and engagement with the nsw planning department and minister. (Download NSW PLANNING DEPT POLICY REFINEMENT PAPER BELOW)
- We Thank Northern Beaches Council and LGNSW for its opposition to The Government's low and mid-rise Unplanned densification policy. THEIR submissions led to several policy "refineMENTS". Although minor they were improvements.
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- There would be sIGNIFICANT IMPACTs ON MONA VALE SAYS COUNCIL under the adopted low and mid-rise policy
- Council has put a hold on further work on the Mona Vale Place Plan pending consideration of government building height and densification changes
- AMENDMENTS TO NSW HOUSING SEPP (State Environmental Planning Policy) implementing changes Were adopted by
the Government and are now in operation
- the population of mona vale could double under the new low-rise and especially the mid-rise rules for 6+ storey apartments (see diagram for Council's increased population estimate)
Council has advised that as currently proposed, Government high density reforms "could have significant impact on Mona Vale with a substantial increase in residential housing, far above those identified in the adopted Northern Beaches Local Housing Strategy and the draft Place Plan".
One size does not fit all – Northern Beaches Council calls on NSW Government to scrap its high density housing reforms (Source: Northern Beaches Council Online News)
Download council submissions to the NSW Government and community presentations below
1. Council Response to State Government Higher Density Housing Proposal - letter to Mona Vale Residents Association attached below as Download File
2. Final Council Submission to DPHI Explanation of Intended Effects Changes to Low and Mid-rise Housing as Download File
Download council submissions to the NSW Government and community presentations below
- Northern Beaches Council is calling on Government to abandon the low and mid-rise housing reforms as outlined in the Department’s ‘Explanation of Intended Effect: Changes to Create Low and Mid-rise Housing’ (EIE), noting that Council already has the capacity to plan for future growth.
- Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the anticipated scale of development that is proposed in the EIE would have long lasting environmental and social impacts for the local area.
- “We want to be part of the solution to Sydney’s housing crisis, but unplanned development of this scale will lead to greater congestion on local roads, put pressure on community infrastructure and overload the very limited public transport options available on the Northern Beaches,” Mayor Heins said.
- “The proposals do not require the provision of any new affordable housing units".
- “In some areas, it will change the local character of our neighbourhoods, reduce tree canopy and threaten local heritage.”
- Government radical proposals are also in conflict with current and proposed Council-led precinct planning in places like Frenchs Forest, Brookvale and Mona Vale. For example, the proposed number of dwellings under the Brookvale Structure Plan is based on detailed analysis of traffic capacity along Pittwater Road. The additional dwellings proposed within 800 metres of Warringah Mall under the Government’s proposals have not been accounted for and will likely exceed the capacity of the local road system.
- The Government has failed to demonstrate that there is adequate existing capacity or sufficient funding for essential road, stormwater, sewer, water and waste infrastructure upgrades to support increased densitydemonstrate adequate existing capacity or sufficient funding for essential road, stormwater, sewer, water and waste infrastructure upgrades to support increased density.
- Council requests the Government to provide Council a period to identify alternative strategies for growth and infrastructure to meet housing targets in existing Local Housing Strategies, and
- Fund and deliver major infrastructure projects including Mona Vale Road West Widening project, a Bus Rapid Transit system from Chatswood to Dee Why, grade separation of Warringah and Pittwater Roads to support more housing in Brookvale and regional traffic infrastructure to support more housing in Frenches Forest.
1. Council Response to State Government Higher Density Housing Proposal - letter to Mona Vale Residents Association attached below as Download File
2. Final Council Submission to DPHI Explanation of Intended Effects Changes to Low and Mid-rise Housing as Download File
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LABOR'S COUNCIL DE-AMALGAMATION BILL
PASSES BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT & WILL BECOME LAW
Minister's Media Release attached below as
a pdf Download File
PASSES BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT & WILL BECOME LAW
Minister's Media Release attached below as
a pdf Download File
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LACK OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING & COMMUNITY SUPPORT THWARTS DE-AMALGAMATION CAMPAIGN May 2024 I Local Government
- The Government's council de-amalgamation bill passed both houses of parliament on 9 May 2024 and will become law.
- De-amalgamation of Northern Beaches Council into three would be practically impossible without Government paying for the demerger costs. There is also a costly de-amalgamation process to navigate. That's the message from Local Government NSW, local government's peak body representing NSW Councils.
- Northern Beaches ratepayer's aren't going to cop the cost of Council demerger. Council estimated that demerger could cost around $143m in the first five years then $25m per year.
- The money is simply not there. Government and Council are "financially constrained".
- There isn't a groundswell of community opinion across the Northern Beaches calling for de-amalgamation of Council into three separate councils.
- A non-binding poll or survey of community opinion may help clarify the matter. However, community members say they would want to see a viable business case and be able to consider the "pros" and "cons" of a Council de-amalgamation proposal before they express their opinion or vote on the issue.
- It is noted the Government de-amalgamation legislation would require a Council led proposal with a viable business case to de-amalgamate Northern Beaches Council prior to the community formally voting on it.
- Community members are not convinced Council de-amalgamation is the right move at this time given the new de-amalgamation process and potential costs to ratepayers. The main questions residents are asking is, "Why split Northern Beaches Council anyway?", What are the costs?", "What are the pros and cons? and "How much would rates go up to pay for Council de-amalgamation? Wouldn't the money be better spent of Council buildings and local infrastructure?
- Northern Beaches Council, at its meeting of 28 May 2024, decided to take NO further action on a non-binding demerger poll. In doing so Council considered a preliminary demerger analysis, costs and the merits of de-amalgamation of Northern Beaches Council. The vote was almost unanimous with the inclusion of three Pittwater Ward and two Narrabeen Ward Councillors voting for the motion. Cr Vincent De Luca was the only one who voted against the motion. The decision and voting record is published below from the Council minutes.
- In effect de-amalgamation of Northern Beaches Council would be almost impossible. If so it's time to investigate and consider alternatives to Council de-amalgamation (demerger).
- Maybe it's time for a Council restructure with revised operational priorities addressing matters such as representation, compliance and costs.
- An organizational restructure could include ward based community boards and precinct committees like those in North Sydney to assist representation.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
- In a decisive move Northern Beaches Council resolved on 28 May 2024 to take NO FURTHER ACTION on the Council de-amalgamation question.
- Council considered conducting a non-binding opinion poll on splitting Northern Beaches Council. In doing so it took into account the financial costs and implications of de-amalgamating Council into the 3 former local government areas. Council decided to take no further action.
- See resolution adopted by Council below, follow up detailed financial analysis of possible demerger and CEO's recommendation to take no further action on deamalgamation.
- Significantly, the vote was almost unanimous with the inclusion of three Pittwater Ward and two Narrabeen Ward Councillors (apart from Cr Vincent De Luca) voting for the motion.
- Council decisions and voting records are published below from Council minutes.
FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
COUNCIL Desktop Financial Demerger Analysis and CEO recommendations
Agenda Item 8.1 Council Meeating 28 May 2024
1. Estimated demerger cost over first five years would be $143m then around $25m per year after that.
2. This would be funded by ratepayers.
3. CEO recommends against further action on de-amalgamation poll.
COUNCIL Desktop Financial Demerger Analysis and CEO recommendations
Agenda Item 8.1 Council Meeating 28 May 2024
1. Estimated demerger cost over first five years would be $143m then around $25m per year after that.
2. This would be funded by ratepayers.
3. CEO recommends against further action on de-amalgamation poll.
ITEM 8.1 (Council Meeting 28 May 2024)
PRELIMINARY DESKTOP DEMERGER ANALYSIS AND
PROPOSED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
125/24 RESOLVED
Cr Regan / Cr Grattan
That Council take no further action with respect to Council resolution 85/2024
(including in relation to gathering community feedback on the analysis, a report
to the Council meeting in June 2024 and facilitating a poll at the September 2024
local government elections) as the process of undertaking a poll at the September 2024
local government election does not meet the legislative requirements contained in the
Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamations) Act 2024 recently assented to.
VOTING
FOR: Cr Glanville, Cr Grattan, Cr Bingham, Cr Korzy,
Cr Gencher, Cr Page, Cr Heins, Cr Ryburn, Cr Crvelin, Cr Robins,
Cr Regan and Cr Walton
AGAINST: Cr De Luca
CARRIED
PRELIMINARY DESKTOP DEMERGER ANALYSIS AND
PROPOSED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
125/24 RESOLVED
Cr Regan / Cr Grattan
That Council take no further action with respect to Council resolution 85/2024
(including in relation to gathering community feedback on the analysis, a report
to the Council meeting in June 2024 and facilitating a poll at the September 2024
local government elections) as the process of undertaking a poll at the September 2024
local government election does not meet the legislative requirements contained in the
Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamations) Act 2024 recently assented to.
VOTING
FOR: Cr Glanville, Cr Grattan, Cr Bingham, Cr Korzy,
Cr Gencher, Cr Page, Cr Heins, Cr Ryburn, Cr Crvelin, Cr Robins,
Cr Regan and Cr Walton
AGAINST: Cr De Luca
CARRIED
Lack of Government Funding Thwarts Sydney Council De-amalgamations
De-amalgamation of Sydney Councils have been refused or stalled without government funding?
The de-amalgamation bids by several Sydney councils have been not been approved or stalled. This is largely due to the financial demerger costs and refusal of the NSW state government to fund the process. While the government has legislated a legal pathway for councils to split, the financial burden of unwinding the 2016 mergers has been shifted to the councils themselves and their ratepayers.
Key points regarding the stalled de-amalgamations include:
Government Stance:
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has stated that while the government supports a clear pathway for de-amalgamation, taxpayers should not be footing the bill for the process.
LGNSW Criticism:
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has expressed disappointment, arguing that expecting ratepayers to pay to reverse forced amalgamations is unjust, essentially forcing them to pay to return to their former status quo.
While the Cootamundra-Gundagai de-amalgamation was approved and Snowy Valleys is on track, the major Sydney mergered Councils from 2016 remain in place due to these mainly financial roadblocks.
Lack of funding jeopardises de-amalgamations:
LGNSW, 6 Feb 2024
The NSW Government's decision not to fund council de-amalgamations will make it virtually impossible for larger Sydney councils wishing to de-amalgamate, according to Local Government NSW advice.
This would, it is suggested, be due to high one-off and ongoing implementation costs estimated to be tens of millions of dollars.
De-amalgamation of Sydney Councils have been refused or stalled without government funding?
The de-amalgamation bids by several Sydney councils have been not been approved or stalled. This is largely due to the financial demerger costs and refusal of the NSW state government to fund the process. While the government has legislated a legal pathway for councils to split, the financial burden of unwinding the 2016 mergers has been shifted to the councils themselves and their ratepayers.
Key points regarding the stalled de-amalgamations include:
- Financial Hurdles: De-amalgamating larger Sydney merged councils, such as the Northern Beaches or Inner West, is estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars, with figures even as high as $150 million cited by LGNSW.
- Bayside Council Case: Bayside Council has halted its de-amalgamation process after community consultation showed overwhelming opposition (79% of respondents) to paying higher rates or a $600 fee to fund the split.
- Inner West Council Situation: The Inner West Council has not progressed with a formal demerger proposal, with Mayor Darcy Byrne noting that a 2022 survey showed 53% of residents preferred to remain merged, partly due to fears over the financial impact of demerging.
Government Stance:
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has stated that while the government supports a clear pathway for de-amalgamation, taxpayers should not be footing the bill for the process.
LGNSW Criticism:
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has expressed disappointment, arguing that expecting ratepayers to pay to reverse forced amalgamations is unjust, essentially forcing them to pay to return to their former status quo.
While the Cootamundra-Gundagai de-amalgamation was approved and Snowy Valleys is on track, the major Sydney mergered Councils from 2016 remain in place due to these mainly financial roadblocks.
Lack of funding jeopardises de-amalgamations:
LGNSW, 6 Feb 2024
The NSW Government's decision not to fund council de-amalgamations will make it virtually impossible for larger Sydney councils wishing to de-amalgamate, according to Local Government NSW advice.
This would, it is suggested, be due to high one-off and ongoing implementation costs estimated to be tens of millions of dollars.
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Attached File below
MVRA Submission to Mackellar People's Jury on Housing April 2024:
Download File below.
MVRA SUBMISSION TO THE MACKELLAR PEOPLE'S JURY ON HOUSING (Submission also to Dr Sophie Scamps MP Mackellar, Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Jacqui Scruby MP Pittwater)
MVRA acknowledges the pressing housing crisis and generally supports planned and innovative social, community, affordable and specialised housing programs and projects.
We consider that Council is in the best position to plan for new housing supply taking into consideration limits of geography, environment, infrastructure and human services. Council should be allowed to complete its Mona Vale Place Plan (Masterplan) that includes a sufficient housing component in accordance with Councils Local Housing Strategy taking into account other strategies and new Tree Canopy Plan.
Read the full MVRA submission as a download file.
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In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
