According to a recent local housing study, high density apartments and low density single dwelling houses currently make up approximately 90% of the housing types in the Strathfield Council area. To cater for the evolving needs of our community, Council is currently exploring opportunities to diversify housing choices by considering all ‘missing-middle’ housing types in the Strathfield Council area.

As part of the MDHS, Strathfield Council is conducting two surveys to obtain Strathfield residents’ views on housing variety and choice within the community. So far, Strathfield Council has engaged Micromex Research to undertake an invitational telephone survey. A second, open survey, is now available via Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ page and is open until Friday 8 March 2024. The findings of both surveys will be used to inform the findings of the study.

Medium-density housing types fit between single detached houses and high rise residential flat buildings (also known as apartment buildings). Medium density housing types typically include:

• dual occupancy or semi-detached houses,
• villas,
• townhouses,
• terrace houses,
• manor houses, and
• residential flat buildings (3 to 6 storeys).

These housing types can provide suitable alternatives to better meet the needs of our diverse Strathfield community.

Some benefits associated with medium density housing may include affordability, energy savings, security and reduced maintenance when compared to single detached houses. When permitting medium density housing in appropriate locations, it will also allow residents to access local amenity, services and public transport conveniently. Medium density housing is generally considered to offer better privacy and more generous internal and external space when compared to apartment living.

Providing a wider range of housing choices allows our community members to access the above benefits by moving into a home that suits their changing needs without necessarily having to leave the area that they know and love. This might include long-standing residents wishing to downsize and stay connected to their local community or families who have outgrown apartment living.

The appropriate locations for medium density housing are currently being investigated by the study. Council is also conducting surveys to seek feedback from our community on their preferences and aspirations regarding medium density housing including desirable locations.

The MDHS is currently in the early phase of investigation, and any recommendations of the MDHS will not be implemented before receiving Council’s endorsement at a Council Meeting. Once endorsed, Council staff will prepare a Planning Proposal to amend the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan(SLEP) before any additional medium density housing becomes permissible in the Strathfield Council area. No changes to Council’s planning and development controls have been proposed at this stage.

Once the draft Medium Density Housing Strategy is available it will be exhibited to the public, and you will have the opportunity to view and provide feedback on the document.

Council and the consultant team will review our current planning controls including the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan 2012 and Development Control Plan 2005.This review process will allow Council to develop a new set of development standards and design guidelines to ensure that new medium density development reflects the desired character and appearance of Strathfield’s suburbs while also providing high quality internal amenity to future occupants. These regulations may include maximum building heights, maximum floor space ratio, minimum setbacks, minimum lot size, minimum street frontage, maximise site coverage, minimum deep soil area, minimum solar access and the like.

A copy of the MDHS information pack is now available. You can view the information pack by clicking this link.

Council will also be hosting two drop-in sessions to discuss the study with our community face-to-face in early 2024. Information on the dates and locations of these drop-in sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.

The survey can be completed via this link. The survey will be open until Friday 8 March 2024.

The Strathfield MDHS is being prepared by an independent consultant team engaged by Council, and our study commenced prior to the recent NSW Government announced changes to State planning legislation to create low-rise and mid-rise housing. Notwithstanding, Strathfield Council will submit a response to the NSW Government regarding the proposed changes.

For more information on the NSW Government’s proposed changes - click on the following link: Explanation of Intended Effect: Changes to create low and mid-rise housing | Planning Portal - Department of Planning and Environment (nsw.gov.au)

PLEASE NOTE *** The NSW Government websites are NOT maintained by Strathfield Council. Strathfield Council is not responsible for any outdated or incorrect information.

Council staff and the project team will process, analyse and consider community feedback from the two surveys in early 2024. The findings will help to inform the development of a new draft strategy. It is expected that a full report of the MDHS will be presented to Council and the draft MDHS will be publicly exhibited later in 2024. There will be an opportunity for the community to view the draft strategy and provide additional feedback during the exhibition period.