Warringah's Housing Future

Warringah Council has voted to make available the Draft Housing Strategy considered by Council on 28 September 2010 which is a reference document only.

Council stopped all work on increasing housing following a motion at the Council Meeting on 28 June 2011 that stated:

Warringah Council immediately cease any exhibition or further work on its Housing Strategy until the NSW Government confirms Council’s dwelling target of 10,300 new dwellings and provides its commitment to funding additional infrastructure requirements to support the new development.

The Draft Housing Strategy was developed with extensive community consultation, including focus groups, stakeholder meetings, online forums and the Talk of the Town Community Summit.

Manly, Mosman, Pittwater and Warringah councils adopted 'Shaping Our Future' strategy in September 2010 which details the regional need for new infrastructure and transport options. Despite this, there is still no agreement from the NSW Government to fund new infrastructure or transport services to meet an increased population.

The NSW Government set a target for 10,300 new dwellings to be accommodated in the area by 2031. Current zoning laws allow for an anticipated growth of 5,325 new dwellings, this includes Dee Why Town Centre, apartments in already zoned areas such as Narrabeen, Collaroy, Brookvale and Manly Vale as well as shop-top developments throughout Warringah.

The first release of the Draft Housing Strategy proposed a number of locations for up to 16,032 additional dwellings in Warringah to accommodate the 10,300 dwellings required by the NSW Government metro plan. While its intent was only to deliver 10,300 it allowed some flexibility to pick those from several different centres, including Narraweena, Manly Vale, Forestville and Frenchs Forest.

Council voted on 14 December 2010, to reduce the increase in dwellings in the draft plan to a maximum of 10,300. As a result, the second draft suggested that the majority of additional dwellings be located in Narraweena.

Council also had to alter projections for Frenchs Forest after the NSW Government announced in December 2010 that the proposed Frenchs Forest state significant site would house an estimated 1,300 dwellings.

The Draft Housing Strategy was only a starting point for debate about what would be in the final housing strategy. The benefit of having increased density in one area is that it can be more easily provided with infrastructure such as transport but it was never a forgone conclusion.

Draft Housing Strategy - 28 September 2010 version

Past growth:	1,278
Existing capacity:	4,140
Narraweena:	4,138 (up zoning 3,675 plus dual occupancy 463)
Manly Vale:	2,086 (up zoning 1,979 plus dual occupancy 107)
Forestville:	2,566 (up zoning 2,321 plus dual occupancy 245)
Frenchs Forest:	1,824 (up zoning 1,583 plus dual occupancy 241)
Total capacity:	16,032 dwellings
Target:	10,300 dwellings

Draft Housing Strategy - 24 May 2011 version

Past growth:	1,278
Existing capacity:	4,047
Narraweena:	3,675 (up zoning only)
Total capacity:	10,300 dwellings
Target:	10,300 dwellings

These documents are for reference purposes only and have not been adopted by Council.

• Draft Housing Strategy - 28 September 2010 version
• Draft Housing Strategy - 24 May 2011 version