Seven community organisations across the Georges River LGA, including the KBPA, have united in their opposition to these changes. We have jointly funded a flyer to raise awareness in the community. 

How does this affect you?

Are you in the new State Govt LMR area? Look up your address using NSW Government’s interactive map of the low and midrise housing areas. If you are in the old GRC Foreshore Scenic Protection Area (FSPA), you will be especially impacted. Look up your address using GRC’s Foreshore Scenic Protection Area Maps, then apply the Key Changes which can be found here.

We know some residents welcome these changes and see an opportunity to develop their properties - and we understand that perspective. But for many, this feels like a “dirt sandwich”: forced density, no local input, and no infrastructure to support it, or consideration of local biodiversity. Yes, we need housing - but should it come at the cost of our community’s identity, liveability and environment?

A better way

Georges River Council (GRC) has conducted detailed urban planning and community consultation over the past two years. Its Additional and Diverse Housing Planning Proposal will generate an additional 8,245 new homes. Together with masterplans for Mortdale (578) and Beverly Hills (734), there is already a total capacity of 9,557 additional dwellings. GRC has also committed to Riverwood and Kogarah Town Centre Masterplans, which will see a further increase in housing numbers equal to, or better than, the NSW Government’s target of 11,000 new dwellings. The GRC approach achieves housing targets whilst still preserving existing block sizes, and the leafy nature of our suburbs. It protects heritage conservation areas and the FSPA.

It is a better alternative to the ONE SIZE FITS ALL approach that the NSW Government has rammed through, without regard to detailed local planning or community input.

Processing times for DAs are being reduced, thanks to new State Government KPIs and regular reporting. Councils are also now trialling use of AI technology to streamline the approval process.

The NSW Government should support Georges River Council’s Housing Planning Proposal as a replacement to the LMR.

Act now!

If you are concerned about the consequences of these policy changes, write to the following asking for the NSW State Government to support Georges River Council’s Housing Planning Proposal as a replacement to the LMR:

• Premier, Chris Minns at kogarah@parliament.nsw.gov.au

• Minister for Planning, Paul Scully at office@scully.minister.nsw.gov.au

• You can also let your local member know of your concerns:

• Steve Kamper, Member for Rockdale at rockdale@parliament.nsw.gov.au

• Mark Coure, Member for Oatley at oatley@parliament.nsw.gov.au

To assist you in writing to these representatives, a template letter has been prepared and can be downloaded here. A letter of objection sent by an Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society member can also be downloaded here for more ideas. If you don’t feel you can write your own letter based on the examples, try using ChatGPT (or other free AI platform) to help you write the letter.

Greater Sydney

There is a rising tide of community concern across Sydney as people realise the significance of these changes. See what other community groups are doing, in the Save Greater Sydney Coalition E-News: April 2025.

Watch the ABC’s 7.30 program (on air: 8 April 25: 7 minutes):
New planning laws set to transform Sydney.