A major new residential development has won approval for Sydney’s Upper North Shore, reigniting debate over how the city should tackle its ongoing housing shortage.
Developers will replace nine existing homes in Roseville with four apartment buildings containing 249 new residences, including affordable housing. The site sits close to public transport and forms part of the NSW Government’s broader push to increase housing supply across Sydney.
The decision has divided opinion.
Supporters argue Sydney desperately needs more homes near railway stations and established infrastructure if housing affordability is to improve. Planning experts have repeatedly highlighted higher density around transport hubs as one of the most effective ways to accommodate Sydney’s growing population.
Opponents, however, say the development will affect Roseville’s heritage character, increase traffic, remove mature trees and introduce buildings that are out of scale with the surrounding neighbourhood. Community members lodged more than 800 submissions opposing the proposal before planners approved it.
The development will include 54 affordable housing apartments, although some residents argue they make up only a small share of the overall project.
Roseville is unlikely to be the last suburb to face this debate.
Across Sydney, governments are increasingly encouraging higher density housing around transport corridors as they work towards ambitious housing targets over the coming years.
As Sydney continues to grow, balancing heritage preservation with the need for more housing will remain one of the city’s biggest planning challenges.
