FAQs

Yes. Councillors have heard from the community that the current arrangements are causing financial hardship. This consultation is your chance to have your say to help inform Council’s direction.

The minimum lot size is a standard in Council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) which is a legal planning instrument. An amendment to the LEP requires a Planning Proposal be developed and approved by the Minister for public exhibition. It is then reported to the Department of Planning and Environment for the Minister’s final approval.

Council is also mindful that the NSW Department of Planning and Environment may not support a Planning Proposal looking at one type of housing only and may require Council to develop an overall Housing Strategy. Amending an LEP typically takes a minimum of 18 months.

Council’s approach for the past 20 years has been to permit dual occupancies to provide for wider housing choice and to meet individual needs.  This helps families stay close together or provides for additional rental income. The 400sqm minimum lot size provides a deterrent to the construction of duplexes and is designed to retain the character of the southern suburbs of Randwick City with larger lot sizes, lower density and fewer cars and traffic.

Company Title has nothing to do with Council. Some property owners choose to put their property into a company to sell each dwelling. This is a matter for the owner. Properties which are under company title have traditionally been more affordable because bank lending is tighter. This discourages people using Company Title and hence discourages construction of duplexes.

House prices are affected by a range of complex factors. However reducing minimum lot sizes is likely to put upward pressure on house prices.

This would set a legal precedent and potentially compromise any new minimum lot size standard.

Each Council has its own approach depending on its particular requirements. Randwick’s approach is not unique. Some councils have larger minimum lot sizes. Councils with no minimum lot sizes typically have other restrictions such as new development having to be consistent with the predominant character of the street.