Background

Housing affordability has been a growing issue over the last two decades in the Waverley Local Government Area (LGA). Currently, the affordable or social housing stock in the Waverley LGA is limited, and there are significant waiting lists and waiting times to access social housing in the wider Eastern Suburbs area.

There is an opportunity to increase the amount of affordable housing stock in the Waverley LGA by collecting contributions from developers of apartments and similar developments.

In order for Waverley Council to collect contributions from these developers, the Waverley Local Environmental Plan (WLEP) 2012 must be updated to include clauses that allow Council to mandate the contribution.


Proposal

The Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme Planning Proposal ("the Planning Proposal") seeks to update the WLEP 2012 to allow Council to levy a contribution for the purposes of affordable housing from developers of particular development. The contribution will be levied in two ways:

  1. A 1% contribution for new residential flat buildings, independent living units, multi-dwelling housing, and shop top housing development.
  2. Contribution for Planning Proposals where property gains development uplift. The Waverley Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme seeks a target of 10% affordable housing for these sites.

This Planning Proposal implements the Waverley Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme and responds to actions of the Local Housing Strategy.

A 1% affordable housing contribution for new residential flat buildings, independent living units, multi-dwelling housing, and shop top housing development

Specifically, the Planning Proposal seeks to introduce a new clause into the WLEP that consists of a contribution on all new residential flat buildings, independent living units, multi-dwelling housing, and shop top housing development. These terms are defined in the WLEP Dictionary. Employment generating only development and development for the primary purpose of social housing and affordable rental housing are excluded from the contribution.

The contribution intends to be calculated by multiplying 1% of the total proposed gross floor area sqm against a dollar/sqm rate published (and regularly updated) on Council's website. Each suburb will have its own rate, which intends to represent the average new apartment sales price per suburb for that suburb. For example, at the time of this exhibition the rates are estimated as per the figures in table 1 (right hand side of this page).

The 1% contribution associated with new residential flat buildings, independent living units, multi-dwelling housing, and shop top housing development would likely to be required to be paid or dedicated at Occupation Certificate stage (after Development Application stage) and can comprise of either a monetary contribution or an in-kind contribution.


Contribution for Planning Proposals where property gains development uplift

The Planning Proposal also seeks to introduce a clause to the WLEP which allows an affordable housing contribution to be levied for sites subject of a future Planning Proposal which provides the property with development uplift. The contribution amount will be subject to determination in the future during the uplift planning proposal assessment stage, but the mechanism will be established under this Planning Proposal. The Waverley Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme seeks a target of 10% affordable housing for these sites.


How to Submit Feedback

Please submit your feedback on this Planning Proposal through one of the following methods:

Feedback closes at 11.59pm, Monday 18 December 2023.

Please note that the comments submitted will form part of Council’s public record and as such can be made available for public viewing on request.

For more information, please contact Emma Rogerson, Senior Strategic Town Planner, through Council’s Customer Service on 9083 8000, or via email at emma.rogerson@waverley.nsw.gov.au