Massive Step Forward with the Mosman Masterplan

On Wednesday night, I attended the Extraordinary Council Meeting at Mosman Council Chambers, where councillors unanimously endorsed the draft Mosman Masterplan. And what a turnout. Every man and his dog were there. It was great to see.

The proposed masterplan is a significant step for Mosman. The guts of it is that it provides clarity and confidence for Mosman Residents. It’s designed to accommodate around 4,700 additional homes (I know…….) while reshaping where and how development occurs across the Lower North Shore.

Councillors voted to progress the Mosman Masterplan (which is a 30 year plan), together with a separate Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme, to the NSW Government for review.

Obviously the plan has been developed in response to the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, but importantly, it takes a more local approach. Rather than applying increased density across the entire municipality, the masterplan directs additional housing capacity to selected areas, taking into account the unique character and circumstances of Mosman. Basically it provides residents with a lot more clarity and confidence.

The final draft follows extensive community consultation, with thousands of submissions received. Further technical work has also considered urban design, transport, heritage, infrastructure, biodiversity, flooding, sustainability, affordable housing and the needs of our community.

For me, one of the most important aspects is ensuring that future development delivers something back to the community. That includes affordable housing, improved community facilities, better active transport connections, communal green/open spaces, and streetscape improvements.

My understanding is that the planning proposal will now be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for assessment. If approved, it will proceed to formal public exhibition, giving residents another opportunity to consider the proposed controls and make submissions.

This is an important moment for Mosman as we continue to face pressure from the State Government’s LMR policy, as well as a number of larger apartment developments moving through the planning system.

I was also encouraged by the strength of the community presence at Wednesday night’s meeting. It was a reminder that Mosman is a community that is engaged, informed and passionate about where we live.

As we navigate the challenges of housing growth and development, I believe it is essential that we maintain that strong sense of community while protecting the qualities that make Mosman such a special place to live.