Verbal Submission from Matt Cross, MP for Davidson re: Patyegarang planning proposal – 9 December 2024:
Thank you, Mr Debnam.
I’m Matt Cross, the Member for Davidson in the NSW Parliament that includes the residents and Northern Beaches suburbs of Davidson, Frenchs Forest and Belrose.
Since my election in March 2023, I have had a consistent position in opposition to this planning proposal, as has my predecessor, the Hon. Jonathan O’Dea.
Today, I will raise five concerns that I have with this planning proposal on behalf the Davidson electorate community.
The first concern is the risk of bushfires.
I speak of two recent bushfires in the area close to the location of the planning proposal.
• The first bushfire was on 21 September 2024, hazard reduction burns at Oxford Falls jumped containment lines and threatened homes at Cromer and Beacon Hill. This was largely due to the wind, blowing up to 26 kilometres per hour.
• The second bushfire was on 23 November 2024. There was a fire in Belrose in Ralston Avenue. My concern is that the conditions that day that started this fire starting were reported as mild, cool temperatures and low wind. However, the fuel load on the ground was dry after a warm day.
These two bushfires are clear evidence of a risk.
I note that the CSIRO in recent times has undertaken building maps to investigate Australia’s bushfire hazards.
The CSIRO states that in Belrose the bushfire hazard could increase by between 13% and 18% in the coming decades. Nearby in Ingleside, the increase could be up to 17%, and in Davidson, the increase up to 26%.
The second concern is the lack of supporting infrastructure.
The proposal for 450 units will require new and renovated infrastructure, in particular transport and roads.
In relation to public transport, there is no walkable light rail, train or metro station. The bus service has ongoing challenges that I’ve highlighted in the NSW Parliament.
Due to the lack of public transport, this proposed development will put more cars on our roads. There is one State road, The Forest Way, which I note a speed limit reduction from 80km/h to 70k/h nearby (see attached). The Forest Way connects to two State Roads of Mona Vale Road and Warringah Road that goes onto Roseville Bridge. There is already congestion on these two State roads, with Warringah Road the third most congestion road. A review is underway of Northern Beaches roads.
The third concern is that this proposal will negatively impact our natural environment.
We need to protect our natural environment for future generations. The proposal will see 45 football fields of bushland, biodiversity, vegetation and native habitat taken away.
The planning proposal sits within a wildlife corridor comprising public and private land, alongside the Garigal National Park, Narrabeen Lagoon State Park and the nearby Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
It is valuable bushland that once rezoned and developed, is gone.
The fourth concern is that it is inconsistent with key housing plans.
I believe Sydney needs more housing and an increased housing supply. But it needs to be consistent with existing housing plans. I note new housing in Frenchs Forest.
This planning proposal is inconsistent with aspects of the Greater Sydney Region Plan, North District Plan, Northern Beaches Local Strategic Planning Statement – Towards 2040, and Northern Beaches Local Housing Strategy.
I will let Northern Beaches Council elaborate on how this planning proposal fits, or does not fit, with their housing strategies and plans.
The final concern is that this planning proposal lacks the community support.
Over 12,000 members of the community personally signed a petition against this planning proposal. I have had several residents reach out to me when this meeting was announced.
As a Member of Parliament, a petition of that size is substantial, and it met the threshold to be debated in the NSW Parliament. I contributed with my current colleagues James Griffin MP and Michael Regan MP, who joining me in voicing the communities’ concerns and opposition.
Thank you, Mr. Debnam.