Housing Reforms: A Game-Changer for Northern Beaches
Grant Matterson LJ Hooker Narrabeen
In today’s post you will find-
Housing Reforms: A Game-Changer for Northern Beaches
Property Values- Recent Local Sales dated 18/02/25
How lucky are we- Sparkling Rock Pools
Hey everyone,
Hope you're having a great week!
Summary of NSW Government Housing Reforms Announced Last Week
Last week, the NSW Government introduced new housing reforms impacting areas within an 800-meter radius of 171 centres across the Illawarra, Greater Sydney, and Hunter regions, including nine centres in our local area. Here’s a concise breakdown of the key points:
What the Reforms Entail
Positive Aspects-
We expect the planning instrument to be released later today and wait to see the detail, however we welcome that the NSW Government has listened to our submissions and exempted bushfire and flood-prone areas from the reforms, as well as the Newport, Narrabeen, Warriewood and Belrose town centres.
Affected Areas: Properties within 800 meters of the nine local centers are impacted, depending on land zoning.
Permitted Developments: The reforms allow for:
Dual occupancies
Terraces
Townhouses
Low-rise apartments
Residential flat buildings
Shop-top housing
Height Limits: Buildings can range from two to six stories, with a 30% height increase if affordable housing is included.
Shared Goals: We support the aim to promote sustainable growth and diverse housing options for:
First home buyers
Downsizers
Key workers
Those needing affordable housing
Key Concerns
One-Size-Fits-All Approach: The uniform application of these rules across diverse regions may lead to unintended negative outcomes.
Infrastructure Gaps: There’s no accompanying plan or investment for:
Roads (already congested)
Public transport (commuter bus queues at an all-time high
Loss of Local Control: The new state rules override our Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP), stripping Council of the power to refuse applications despite our prior work on strategic planning and housing targets.
Next Steps
Advocacy: We will continue to push the NSW Government for investment in local infrastructure, transport, and services to manage the increased density.
Check Your Property: Use the interactive maps from the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure to see if your property is affected.
Updates: Further details are expected later today with the release of the planning instrument, and we’ll keep you informed.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
For more Information click here
Let’s take a look at the latest recent sales in the area
Recent Local Sales dated 28/02/25
Click on the Links to View Local Recent Sales
Sparkling Rock Pools
Number and Location: There are 15 rock pools dotted along the Beaches’ coastline, stretching from Palm Beach to Freshwater and Narrabeen to Mona Vale.
Design: These pools are carved into rock and filled with ocean water, offering a safe swimming spot free from rips and marine life.
Popularity: They’re a beloved feature, especially in summer, used for exercise, fun, and cooling off. Notable pools include:
South Curl Curl’s family-friendly double pool,
The Instagram-famous Fairy Bower,
The secluded Bilgola pool,
Dee Why, one of the oldest, built in 1915.
How They Stay Clean
Natural Flushing: Larger ocean swells naturally flush out the water, keeping it fresh. However, during smaller swells, this process is less effective.
Council Cleaning Teams: Two dedicated teams—one for the northern pools and one for the southern—handle cleaning:
Schedule: Weekly cleanings occur during peak months, dropping to fortnightly from May to August (quieter months).
Process:
Pools are closed, typically at low tide, to drain the water.
Crews power-wash the pool floor, ramps, stairs, and railings to remove sand, seaweed, and algae.
Most cleanings happen at night or before sunrise, except at Fairy Bower and Fairlight, where they occur during the day.
Special Cases:
North Curl Curl: Relies mostly on natural flushing; only the access and surrounds are cleaned as needed.
Dee Why: Due to high usage, it gets an extra drain and flush after weekends.
In short, these 15 rock pools are a cherished, safe swimming option, kept pristine through a mix of natural flushing and regular Council maintenance.
DISCLAIMER - The information provided is for guidance and informational purposes only and does not replace independent business, legal, and financial advice which we strongly recommend. Whilst the information is considered true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided. LJ Hooker will not accept responsibility or liability for any reliance on the blog information, including but not limited to, the accuracy, currency, or completeness of any information or links.
