A NIMBY war has broken out in a Sydney suburb as residents claim a proposed social housing block will disrupt the “serene atmosphere” of their street.
Homes NSW is proposing to build a three-storey, 29-unit complex on Hardwicke Street in Riverwood, in Sydney’s south-west.
The block will house residents over 60, mainly women, who are believed to be at risk of homelessness – as the social housing waiting list in NSW rises to more than 62,500 people.
But residents have voiced their strong opposition in a petition and letter forwarded to the NSW government by the Liberal member for Oatley, Mark Coure.
The letter states that the development, which includes 14 car parks, would cause an influx of cars and residents and disrupt the “serene atmosphere” of Hardwicke Street, the letter said. Sydney Morning Herald.
The complex, on a street of mainly one- and two-storey houses, is also said to threaten the ‘sense of seclusion and tranquility’ and cause an ‘unwanted invasion of privacy’ as those on the top floors climb over neighbours’ fences could watch. .
Residents say that they will therefore have to keep their blinds or curtains closed ‘at all times’.
They want the government to instead develop a low-rise, low-density option that fits the character of the street.
Homes NSW proposes to build the three-storey, 29-unit complex on Hardwicke Street in Riverwood, south-west Sydney (pictured is an artist’s impression of the unit block)
Oatley MP Mark Coure (pictured), who served as Minister for Seniors under Liberal Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet, shared opposition to the construction with NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson
“Hardwicke Street has long been a peaceful, family-oriented neighborhood, and this high-density development threatens to fundamentally change its character, atmosphere and appeal,” the letter continued.
‘Preserving the unique, low-density character of Hardwicke Street is vital to maintaining the wellbeing and quality of life of residents.’
The project has sparked a war of words between Mr Coure and NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson, who said the project met planning regulations and was desperately needed.
“The fact that we have to push through the objections of local Liberal MPs to make such a project a reality is so frustrating,” Ms Jackson told the Herald.
“Mr. Coure should work with his community to explain why this project is a much-needed and positive addition to their neighborhood. Well-designed social housing, integrated into our communities, makes our city more functional and stable.’
Mr Coure, who was seniors minister under Liberal Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet’s government, said he did not personally oppose the project but was raising residents’ concerns.
“As a local MP, my job is to represent the concerns of my constituents to the government of the day,” he said.
“In Riverwood and generally in my local community, parking and traffic congestion on our local streets is a major problem and challenge for those who live and work in the area.”
NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson (pictured) said the 29-unit block met planning regulations and was desperate as more than 60,000 people wait for housing
Mr Coure said the community had already supported more suitable projects in the area in the past, such as a 16-unit block for seniors built in Lugarno in 2021.
It comes as a growing number of Australians in NSW face homelessness as the state’s growing housing shortage due to record immigration levels pushes more people onto the streets.
The annual street count for the state in 2024 showed a 25 per cent spike in the number of Aussies sleeping on the streets.
Officials found that 2,037 people were sleeping on the streets, up from 1,623 in 2023.