345 Pacific Highway, Lindfield

Speech by Peter Tulip to Ku-ring-gai Council public forum

In support of the development at 345 Pacific Highway, Lindfield

6 June, 2024

This was written up in the Sydney Morning Herald

I’d like to support the proposed development at 345 Pacific Highway, Lindfield and to oppose the recommendation that the height and floor space ratio be reduced.  I speak as a resident of Ku-ring-gai for the past 13 years and also as an economist who has published lots of research papers on housing affordability.

The Council papers say that “there is insufficient justification for the proposed bulk and scale”.

In my view, the justification of the scale of this proposal should be obvious to anyone who reads the newspapers. Sydney has a housing affordability crisis for which the solution is increased density.  The expert consensus is clear.  Buildings like this are essential to make housing more affordable.

The Council papers note that the proposal is taller than any other buildings in Ku-ring-gai.  That’s a good thing.  Ku-ring-gai has a 5-year target of 7,600 dwellings. Tall buildings at train stations are the best way to meet this target. The alternative is bulldozing more old buildings with big gardens, which the community doesn’t want.

I think it is frankly absurd to complain that the proposal is “excessive in comparison to the heights currently permitted in the Lindfield Local Centre”.  Of course it is taller.  It has to be.  There is no way of meeting the housing target without increasing density. 

This location is one of the best places to do that. It is an easy walk to the station and across the road from a supermarket, so traffic will be minimized.  It adjoins a six-lane highway and train line, so has minimal effect on neighbours or on local character.

I ask the opponents of this proposal:  If we don’t put extra dwellings here, where do we put them?

I acknowledge that I am in a minority.  Most Ku-ring-gai residents seem to prefer uncompromising opposition to any new housing.  That may feel good. But it will lead to worse outcomes. A big increase in density is coming and we need to offer constructive suggestions about the best place to put it.