A new development in Narrabeen will be the first on the Northern Beaches to include affordable housing under Council’s Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme.

The Scheme, adopted by Council in May 2019, enables Council to make provision for affordable housing in new or redeveloped housing precincts through a levy on developers.

The redevelopment at 1294-1300 Pittwater Road and 2-4 Albert St Narrabeen will deliver a contribution equivalent to more than $1.1 million, dedicated to Council as affordable rental housing.

Mayor Michael Regan said the Scheme will help Council better meet local affordable housing needs.

“There is a critical shortage of affordable housing on the Northern Beaches for people on very low and low to medium incomes.

“Council is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing in the region for key workers critical to the economic and social development of the Northern Beaches.”

The Scheme was introduced initially to apply to the Frenchs Forest Planned Precinct. However, the Frenchs Forest Town Centre is yet to be rezoned, making the Narrabeen development the first site on which the levy will apply.

As part of the planning process, Council will resubmit a revised planning proposal to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment with an amended Northern Beaches Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme attached to include the Narrabeen development as a site on which the Scheme applies.

The Scheme can be extended to other areas that are rezoned or are subject to increases in residential density in the future.