Community Housing
NSW Government plans to increase development to help ease the cost of housing and create more dwellings for our growing population. When it comes to housing density, there are many issues that need to be considered including infrastructure, parking & traffic and sustainability. In the Sutherland Shire we’re also in a unique position because we have a number of additional constraints: our boundaries include land that’s National Park and so can’t be developed; low lying coastal areas are on flood plains such as along the Woronora River; areas that are bushfire prone and can’t be built up; and there are limitations near the Oil Refinery at Kurnell. All these reduce our ability to increase our housing density, unlike many other local government areas.
Sutherland Shire has the 24th highest housing density of the 30 Sydney Councils. At the February Council Meeting, Sutherland Shire Council voted to push back on the State Government’s Housing Policy to significantly increase housing in the Shire and will make a submission to the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure. Our preference is to work with the community to set housing targets within specific areas and in line with local needs and infrastructure. I will continue to fight for an increase in affordable housing for local workers and their families, this is separate to public housing which is fully funded.
E Bikes and E Scooters
With more and more e-bikes and e-scooters, it’s so important that we work to support our community to keep both riders and pedestrians safe.
There have been a number of complaints regarding E-Bikes speeding and endangering the public on footpaths from Woolooware to Cronulla, including in Cronulla Mall and along the Esplanade. The same with E-Scooters, E-skateboards and E-hovercrafts which are ILLEGAL in any public place (you can be fined $723 by police) and can only be used on private property.
In NSW this is a matter for the police. All riders must wear a helmet and E-Bikes speeding over 25kms is illegal and a Fine of $723 can be imposed by Police. If an e-device is endangering the public you can call the NSW Police Assistance line on 131 444, or if it’s an emergency call 000.
If you can, try and get identifying information of the offender as video and photos help when reporting to NSW Police (not on social media!) and of course always put safety first. You can read more about e-bikes here and e-scooters here
