The City of Canada Bay is calling on the NSW Government to provide clear commitments for the schools, health services, transport and community infrastructure needed to support significant housing and population growth across the local government area.
“Canada Bay has never walked away from its responsibility to provide more housing. We have been doing our part for decades,” City of Canada Bay Mayor Michael Megna said.
“But more housing has to come with the infrastructure that makes communities work.”
“The NSW Government is directing significant additional density into our area, while our residents are still waiting for clear commitments on schools, health infrastructure, roads, public transport and community facilities.”
Canada Bay is expected to experience the largest proportional increase in high-density housing of any local government area in NSW through Housing Delivery Authority declared developments.
There are currently 7,129 dwellings proposed through HDA-declared developments in the City of Canada Bay, equivalent to almost 77 additional dwellings for every 1,000 existing residents.
Council has participated constructively in State-led planning processes affecting Rhodes, Five Dock, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Concord West and other parts of the City, while continuing to invest locally in roads, footpaths, parks, town centres, public spaces and community facilities.
Mayor Megna said Council could not be expected to carry the infrastructure burden created by State-led housing decisions alone.
“We are improving local streets and public spaces and planning for better places, but there are major pieces of infrastructure that only the State Government can deliver,” Mayor Megna said.
“We need to know where the additional school capacity will come from, what investment will be made in health services and whether our transport networks can accommodate the cumulative growth being proposed.”
“Our community deserves more than housing targets. They deserve a clear plan for the infrastructure needed to support the people who will live here.”
Council is seeking detailed information from the NSW Government about new investment in hospitals and schools, additional school capacity, transport modelling and the infrastructure assessments used to determine whether local road, public transport and active transport networks can accommodate further growth.
Council is also seeking firm commitments on long-standing transport priorities for Rhodes, including the promised ferry wharf and ferry service and further investment in Rhodes Station to support accessibility and passenger safety.
“Rhodes is a clear example of the issue,” Mayor Megna said.
“The NSW Government has led and enabled significant growth on the peninsula, but as our community continues to hear about new housing, there is still no clear timetable for the ferry service to Rhodes, which was first recommended by the department in 2013, and then promised to our residents by a State Government in 2016.”
“That disconnect between housing growth and infrastructure delivery cannot continue.”
Council will establish a dedicated webpage and dynamic map to help residents keep track of major development proposals and State-led planning processes across the City of Canada Bay, including information on how residents can participate in NSW Government consultations.
