The Sutherland Shire has quietly become one of Sydneyās densest hotspots for duplexes and granny flats ā and now Council has a long-term plan to guide what comes next.
A draft Local Housing Strategy has been released, aligning with the NSW government’s target of 6,000 new homes by 2029, and setting a broader vision through to 2041.
The strategy builds on a significant run of development over the past decade, where the Shire not only met, but exceeded its previous target of 5,200 new homes by 2021 ā delivering 6,300 new dwellings between 2016 and 2021.
From Masterplanned estates at Greenhills Beach, Shearwater Landing and Ridgeways Estate to high-density hubs like South Village Kirrawee and Woolooware Bay, the Shire has absorbed a wide range of housing types. However, it is duplexes that have taken centre stage. Since the gazettal of the 2015 LEP, a third of all new dwellings have been duplexes.
Medium density housing is expected to make up roughly one third of all new dwellings through to 2041. Remaining capacity in the R3 Medium Density Residential zones is estimated at 2,429 dwellings, with additional townhouse potential in the R2 zone ā giving planners more flexibility in where new homes can go.
While Sutherlandās R4 High Density zones are nearing capacity (just 1,985 dwellings remain), the NSW governmentās recent Low Mid-Rise Housing Reforms are already shifting the goalposts. These changes have significantly increased capacity for mid-rise apartments within 800 metres of train stations and town centres.
Councilās housing strategy plan will involve numerous council-led rezoning proposals over the next two years. This will include around the centres of Miranda, Sutherland, Kirrawee, Caringbah, Cronulla, Engadine and Jannali.
Council will also rezone E1 zoned sites in these suburbs to allow for more density and create more opportunity for townhouses in the R2 zone, as well as apartments in the R3 zone.
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