Pittwater should be exempt from NSW Government’s low and mid-rise housing policy reforms, the new independent MP, Jacqui Scruby, told Planning Minister Paul Scully in their first one-on-one meeting together.  

She argued Pittwater should be excluded because bushfire, flooding and poor evacuation routes could put lives at risk. Other Local Government Areas, including Hawkesbury, Wollondilly and Blue Mountains, are already exempted for similar reasons. 

‘A significant portion of the Northern Beaches LGA is considered a bushfire prone area by the NSW Rural Fire Service. Additionally with the National Park opposite the peninsula, the risk of ember attack is very possible.  

‘We had a control burn that escaped containment lines only a few months ago that resulted in residents being warned it was ‘too late to leave’ and have had several bushfires in recent decades where properties have been lost. With climate change, fire risk will only increase,’ she explained in a follow up letter to the Minister. 

She also pointed out that there are limited evacuation routes as Pittwater’s two major roads are not fully functional with the Mona Vale Road upgrade unfinished and Wakehurst Parkway frequently closed due to flooding, even with minor rain events. 

‘Pockets of bushfire risk exist the whole way up the peninsula with only one arterial road – one way in and one way out – in the event of a fire. Additionally, in rural areas of Ingleside, Terrey Hills and Duffys Forest escape routes are also in bushfire prone areas and Mona Vale Road is a congestion and accident hot spot. Until the upgrades to this road are complete, this road is especially inadequate as an evacuation route.’  

‘Flooding is also an issue with the 2022 floods blocking all roads in and out, making it an effective island. Future climate risk analysis shows this risk increasing,’ she added.  

Ms Scruby argued that thousands of new dwellings are already planned for Brookvale and Frenchs Forest on the Northern Beaches in areas that do not face the same level of environmental risks, and that town centres in Pittwater do not have the infrastructure or amenities to support higher density developments. 

‘I appreciate that housing is a critical challenge for our state, but the government cannot ignore the very real constraints and risk factors for intensification through low-and mid-rise housing reforms on the Northern Beaches, especially Pittwater.  

‘The Northern Beaches already has the highest projected average annual losses in 2060 from natural disasters, according to the NSW Government’s own analysis.  

‘The Northern Beaches is not against appropriate development that meets the planning controls. We have a proactive council and have a Local Housing Strategy to meet 2029 targets and beyond, as well as increasing more affordable housing, particularly for our essential workers. 

Ms Scruby has already argued against recent new NSW planning reforms giving large residential housing developments priority, as they will undermine local councils and other existing planning authorities.   

The new Housing Delivery Authority (HDA), announced in November by the Minns Government, is designed to accelerate large residential projects. It will be given significant new powers to allow new housing developments of $60m (or approximately 100 or more homes) in Greater Sydney and undertake rezoning.   

'For Pittwater, these policies are a real risk - both for large development proposals like those at the site formerly known as Lizard Rock and potential inappropriate rezoning of areas such as Terrey Hills and Ingleside, without any community consultation or council assessment,’ she warned.   

‘New homes should not come at any cost. We need to assess what is appropriate at a local level and have regard to risks, infrastructure and amenity. I know this is something that many people in Pittwater will be concerned about and I will fight to make sure important criteria are considered.’  

The policy will be put to 'short and sharp' consultation so community groups, planning experts and residents should be prepared to make a submission. Ms Scruby will be personally reaching out to Pittwater’s local community groups and is planning a community information forum.