6 July 2017 – Media Release
Cumberland Council has put on public exhibition a Draft Planning Agreements Policy and Guidelines, which include provisions to encourage developers to help tackle housing affordability in Cumberland and revitalise the Duck River corridor.
Planning agreements are voluntary contracts between Council and developers, whereby developers dedicate land, pay a contribution or provide some other material benefit to the community. Council has undertaken steps to ensure developers cannot ‘buy’ planning decisions but that such arrangements make good proposals even better.
The new policy encourages developers to set aside a five per cent target for affordable housing in new residential proposals and allocate at least five per cent of the value of agreements in ‘value adding developments’ to fund the revitalisation of Duck River as part of any voluntary planning agreement.
Cumberland Council Administrator Viv May said the five per cent targets were long overdue.
“Rent stress and affordable housing are big issues in Cumberland. Since 2007 the median rental price in Cumberland has risen by 77 per cent but the median income hasn’t kept pace, rising by only 11 per cent,” Mr May said.
“The local community suffers when you start pricing people out of the market; especially key workers like nurses, carers, police, teachers and ambulance officers.
“The five per cent target will ensure developers play their part in tackling the issue of housing affordability. It is also just the start. This is an interim target and will be part of a broader push by Council to address the issue of affordable housing.
“Cumberland Council is also committed to the revitalisation of Duck River. It is a priority of residents who want better green spaces to play in, walk on and cycle through.
“It is a priority of local government, with Cumberland Council working with neighbouring Councils to transform the Duck River from a de facto dump into a world class, natural asset.
“And it is a priority of the State Government with the Greater Sydney Commission identifying Duck River as the second highest green space priority in the draft West Central District Plan.
“This measure will help ensure our vision for Duck River, captured in the forthcoming Duck River Master Plan, becomes a reality.”
The Draft Planning Agreements Policy and Guidelines can be viewed online at the Have Your Say section of the Cumberland Council Website.
