Community wins as State returns Sydenham to Bankstown planning control to Council

In a colossal win for the community, Inner West Council has today welcomed the State Government’s decision to hand planning control of the Sydenham to Bankstown corridor back to local councils.

The State Government had been preparing to gazette the Sydenham to Bankstown Urban Renewal Corridor Strategy, which would have imposed new increased residential densities in Sydenham, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill in the Inner West as well as in precincts across the Canterbury Bankstown local government area.

Today’s decision will see Council and the State Government work with the community to update Council’s Local Environment Plan instead.

Darcy Byrne said that the State’s decision to return control to local councils was a huge win for the community.

“We’ve fought long and hard to put an end to developer driven planning proposals in this corridor, and today we are thrilled to take back control of planning for Sydenham, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill,” he said.

“I thank Minister Roberts for listening to the community. We will now work in good faith with the Department of Planning on a plan for the area that will include new housing and, importantly, the social and transport infrastructure to make development sustainable.

“I congratulate the State Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen and local activists, including the Save Marrickville and Save Dully community groups, for their determined and successful advocacy to achieve this result.

Cr Byrne said that today’s decision puts an end to Mirvac’s rezoning proposal for prized industrial land in south Marrickville to be replaced by 2600 residential units.

“Today’s decision puts an end to the Mirvac’s ridiculous proposal for a 35 storey high rise development in Carrington Road. This is suburban Sydney, not down town Hong Kong.

“This proposal would have destroyed more than 1000 jobs and resulted in the forced closure of a whole cluster of businesses that are central to Sydney’s creative industries.

“Our new plans will be developed by the community, not multinational developers, because this is Marrickville, not Mirvac-ville.”

Cr Byrne said that he appreciated the government listening to Council.

“Local and state governments can achieve great things when we work together with our communities, and today’s announcement is a huge step in that direction,” he said.

“I sincerely hope this marks a new era in real collaboration between in our region, rather than councils being forced to abide by dictates from above.”

Read the letter from the Minister for Planning to Mayor Darcy Byrne here (PDF 470.2KB)

Community wins as State returns Sydenham to Bankstown planning control to Council

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