Ryde Leads Sydney Suburbs for Housing Targets - But at What Cost?

The city of Ryde is forging ahead with the construction of new homes, with targets aimed at alleviating housing shortages in the region. 

With over 5790 new homes already build, the city is well on its way to achieving its target of 11,600 new homes by 2029. 

With a nationwide housing crisis making things tough for renters and first-time home buyers across the country, no one could argue that more housing isn’t needed. But some Ryde residents, including the City of Ryde Council, say a more considered approach is needed. 

Land Use Conflict on the Rise

With limited space within city boundaries and the pressure of housing demand causing challenges across the nation, the question is, ‘How do we plan cities that meet current and future demand without compromising liveability, environmental sustainability and provide a considered approach to disaster risk management?’

The TG Millner Fields can be viewed as ground-zero for grappling with this question, as the valued green space becomes the focus of a land use fight between developers, who want to use the space for a housing development, and the City Council and local residents, who want to retain the iconic space as is. 

While building new homes is a priority all agree on, some feel that the run on developing new housing is forgetting to factor in liveability and sustainability. 

Without green spaces, the health of a city flounders, with poorer mental and physical health outcomes for residents, decreased air quality and even more crime as a result. 

Remember the Floods

Aside from the loss of natural spaces, critics of poorly planned runaway development caution planners to make provisions for potential future natural disasters.

The City of Ryde is a flood-prone area and this needs to be considered when planning where to put new houses. 

"Further pressure on natural drainage and built infrastructure could increase flood risks," said Joe Rantino, Plumber North Sydney.

A draft of the city’s new Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan has been released by the City of Ryde Council for comment. The document shows areas of flood vulnerability, and it is hoped that it will be an important resource guiding future development. 

In the meantime, residents and plumbers in Ryde are hoping that good sense prevails when siting new housing in the city. 

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