Northern Beaches Council invites people to have their say on how to plan for housing our community into the future.

Council resolved [yesterday] to exhibit its draft Local Housing Strategy from mid-January so members of the community can be involved in the discussion on our housing needs from now until 2036.

Mayor Michael Regan said as Sydney’s population grows all council areas are asked by the State Government to take their share and the strategy considers the needs not just for growth but for changing demographics.

“We have an ageing population, very expensive rents and real estate and a need to plan for the mix of families, young people and retirees,” Cr Regan said.

“Right now we have a shortage of over 8,100 dwellings for social and affordable housing on the beaches which is predicted to grow by another 1,800 by 2036.

“We need to plan better for our childcare workers, cooks and cleaners, our disability workers, nurses and teachers – they need affordable local housing so we don’t lose them to other areas.

“We have a similar story with our population living longer. Our lack of smaller options has people living alone in huge houses, often asset rich but cash poor. There needs to be additional downsizing options such as townhouses, villas, or appropriately planned villages.

“The mix of housing types across our area needs to evolve and reflect the changing demographics.

“And the supply of more affordable and more varied types of housing won’t just appear overnight so having a well-considered strategy that drives our planning is crucial.”

Mayor Regan said State government plans for new infrastructure such as the rapid bus to Chatswood from Dee Why, and the Harbour Link tunnel was part of the bigger picture which needed to be considered.

“We have some serious constraints with our geography and infrastructure provision, so the draft housing strategy maintains a focus on strategic centres for growth such as Manly Vale, French Forest, Brookvale, Dee Why, Narrabeen and Mona Vale – areas close to public transport, jobs and social infrastructure.

“Our constraints mean our housing targets from the State Government are very modest compared to other parts of Sydney which is why the focus is less on how many, but rather what kind of housing we will need in the future.

“And we are committed to sustainable planning, so any urban renewal needs will integrate principles of sustainability, especially when it comes to water, energy and transport.

“I would encourage all residents to consider the options and be part of the conversation. This is about the Northern Beaches of the future, for our parents and our kids.”

The draft strategy is driven by the Greater Sydney Commission established housing targets for each council in Sydney for the period 2016-2021 and for each district for the period 2016-2036.

Nearly 290,000 people will live in the Northern Beaches by 2036, an increase of nearly 23,000 people. Currently, approximately 57 per cent of dwellings on the Northern Beaches are houses, followed by 33 per cent of units and only nine per cent semi-detached dwellings.

It is proposed to implement the missing middle typologies - dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces - around centres with good accessibility and amenity.

The draft Northern Beaches Local Housing Strategy goes on public exhibition from 15 January until 21 February 2021.