Georges River Council urban planning and development

Georges River Council is managing various urban planning and development challenges involving state directives and local community interests.

The council has faced pressure from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure regarding housing density. In Mortdale, state planners requested the withdrawal of a local master plan, arguing that proposed four to six-storey buildings did not provide sufficient housing uplift. Meanwhile, in Beverly Hills, the council endorsed a draft Town Centre Master Plan for public exhibition to guide development, seeking to maintain local strategic control against state-led rezoning proposals that would allow for towers of 15 to 22 storeys.

In response to local development pressures, the council unanimously voted to propose incorporating the historic Glenlee property into the Georges River National Park. This move follows a $23 million development application for eight dwellings that met strong community opposition. Additionally, the council is working to clarify its enforcement powers and responsibilities as more development approvals are processed through private certifiers.