The Inner West Council has released its draft Affordable Housing Policy, and the clock is ticking. Submissions close today, Sunday 7 June 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Save Marrickville has lodged a formal submission, which you can read here. If you want to have your voice heard before the deadline, you can email Council directly at [email protected] or fill out the online form via the Your Say Inner West portal.

Want to understand more before hitting the send button? Our friends at the Better Future Coalition have published an excellent, easy-to-read breakdown of the policy on their website. We highly recommend checking out their guide and signing up for their newsletter to stay across future updates.

Better Future Coalition has provided recommendations you can use in your submission to Council to help ensure our most vulnerable community members are housed:

Increase the percentage of Affordable Housing contributions for additional floorspace to 20%, in line with the Council's September 2025 commitment to the Inner West community.

Allocate a minimum of 50% of the affordable housing to low and very low-income households.

Mandate that rents charged must not exceed 30% of household income, to ensure the housing delivered is ACTUALLY affordable.

Make contributions available to all types and sizes of community housing providers (not just Tier 1), to provide the diversity and range of affordable housing solutions we need in the Inner West.

Release the Draft Governance and Distribution Framework alongside the Affordable Housing Policy, providing clear timelines for the delivery of affordable housing (not just contributions); dictating where housing will be provided (when contributions are made in cash rather than in-kind); and clarification on which body is accountable to the community (Council or CHP).

The threat to Marrickville’s affordable housing: We’ve just learned that an entire block of 16 flats on Renwick Street is going to auction. It is these exact properties, alongside 50–52 Warren Road, that provide actual, genuine affordable housing in our area. This confirms what we have long feared: an increase in the removal of older, affordable stock from the rental market. We cannot afford to lose them.

What else is happening?

Action for Public Housing is working to protect the Waterloo public housing estate, which is home to low-rise accommodation and a tight-knit community. Sign their petition to refurbish Waterloo, not demolish Waterloo.

The NSW State Labor Government is proposing major changes to the way communities are notified about, and allowed to comment on, development in their neighbourhoods. Read more about it and make a submission.

For fascinating stories about urban planning with a strong focus on the Inner West, be sure to check out the Changing Sydney website. It might make you mad and sad, but you will learn something.

On Tuesday 30th September at the extraordinary meeting, the Inner West Council voted 8-7 to endorse its Fairer Futures Plan to increase housing density (8 Labor councillors in favour, and 7 councillors against – 5 Greens, 1 Independent, 1 Liberal). 

With regards to Marrickville, amendments tabled by Councillor Howard were made during the meeting that removed 20% of the uplift. While this is only a small win, it is significant given Marrickville is bearing the brunt of the uplift and dramatic increase in housing.

The reasons cited for removing some areas from uplift included:

• Their distance from Marrickville Train Station
• The presence of existing lower-cost rentals, which would otherwise be under threat.

This is a point we have campaigned on for years. While some of this housing has been spared, much more will still be lost under the plan. For full details of all streets removed, please see Mat Howard's Amendments in the meeting minutes.

You can watch the full meeting on the Inner West Council's webcasts page.

The endorsement of the Plan was a deeply disappointing outcome, with Marrickville treated as the sacrificial lamb of the LGA. Expect to see many changes over the next 10-15 years. Now that Council has adopted the plan, it will proceed to the State Government for the next stage.

Save Dully's submission as a video - it's worth a watch!

Will the Inner West Council’s Big New Plan create a Fairer Future for Everyone?

The proposed new Local Environment Plan will change the Inner West forever, wiping out homes, businesses, trees, sun and sky ... but will it solve Sydney’s housing affordability crisis?

Council is introducing the biggest development plan in Inner West’s history but has refused to hold public meetings to answer questions from the community. So, we’re having one!

You’re invited to hear from experts and local residents about the new Plan, what it will do for housing affordability, community facilities, green open space, family-friendly homes and more at:

PUBLIC COMMUNITY MEETING, 2-4 PM, SUNDAY 27 JULY GUMBRAMORRA HALL, ADDISON RD COMMUNITY CENTRE, MARRICKVILLE

(Hosted by the Better Futures Coalition, concerned community members of Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Ashfield and Leichhardt)

Save Marrickville has joined a number of other community groups from across the Inner West Council LGA to form the Better Futures Coalition.

The new Coalition has called on the Inner West Council to extend and deepen public consultation over its so-called “Fairer Future” Local Environment Plan (LEP) which aims to add more than 31,000 dwellings to a small number of suburbs in Sydney’s Inner West, while leaving others untouched. The plan will have a very significant impact on the built and natural environment of Marrickville, Ashfield, Dulwich Hill and Leichhardt.

Public submissions are due by July 6 and Council has decided to adopt the plan at its August meeting, with the aim of moving it quickly through a State government approval process.

The ’Better Futures Coalition’ community group has requested a month-long extension to the community consultation process, given the genuine challenge of ensuring informed community engagement in such a short time period. 

The extremely low submission and survey response received so far by Council (under 100 submissions and fewer than 200 surveys out of 85,000 households) is proof that the wider community has not been able to meaningfully engage with the plan and its implications. 

IT'S TIME FOR ACTION! 

With less community consultation than promised in 2023, the Inner West Council has put up their “Fairer Futures” plan for the new Local Environment Plan (LEP), targeting Marrickville and only 3 other suburbs – out of 25 – for massive redevelopment. Where the State Government required 6 storeys, Council wants up to 15!

Once approved, the new LEP will dictate planning and development across the Inner West for years to come. We need to get it right!

WHAT'S AT RISK?

✘ Marrickville’s famous, iconic mix of small businesses, including shops, cafes, music venues, bars and restaurants including all of the Marrickville Rd and Illawarra Rd town centres – even if front sections are retained, buildings will be gutted for redevelopment

✘ Existing low-rise affordable housing, e.g. apartment buildings, boarding houses and shop-tops

✘ Parking in your street and near local shops

✘ Access to a local doctor, childcare or aged care

✘ Period buildings housing popular local venues, e.g. Lazybones 

✘ Green space and tree canopy

✘ Privacy and natural light in your home and garden

✘ The chance to build truly affordable, well-designed, future-proof housing for people to buy or rent long-term, not just for developer profit

Is your home or business affected? Find out at: www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/develop/a-fairer-future-for-the-inner-west

Make submissions by 23 February

The NSW Planning recent proposals to create more housing will mean that all residential areas, town centres and station precincts will be open to major development. This will greatly change the character of your area, with 75% of Inner West LGA affected.

The published Changes to create low and mid-rise housing, released in December:

https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/eie-changes-to-create-low-and-mid-rise-housing.pdf

• Allow 3 storey units in low rise residential areas, and 6 to 8 storeys in medium rise residential within 800 metres of a train station or town centre.
• Heritage protection will no longer apply to Inner West areas impacted, such as King Street Newtown. The Rocks is also not protected.
• Councils will have no power to plan or control these developments.

Please make a submission at

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/explanation-intended-effect-changes-create-low-and-mid-rise-housing

Click “Object” and cut and paste the draft brief submission points below or write your own:

Draft submission:

I request that the proposed Changes to create low- and mid-rise housing be withdrawn and re-considered in discussion with local Councils and communities. My objections include that:

• These changes will destroy the character of the Inner West
• 2 storey units will be allowed in low rise residential areas, and 3 storeys (12.3 metres) through an affordable housing bonus in all R2 zones
• 8 storeys will be allowed in all R3 medium rise zones or mixed use within 400 metres of a train station or town centre, with the affordable housing bonus, and 6 storeys within 800 metres
• Transport Oriented Development will allow 6 or 8 storeys within 400 metres of Marrickville and Dulwich Hill Stations, without Council planning or consideration of local character
• Heritage protection will no longer apply to affected areas, so historic precincts such as The Rocks, and King Street Newtown, could be lost to development
• These changes will side-line planning and approvals by Councils, and any community involvement
• Very little affordable housing will be created, despite concessions to developers
• Council planning control and heritage protection should be preserved, and no affordable housing bonus applied to these residential areas
• Councils should be allowed to develop Urban Design Plans for station precincts and town centres, which deliver more housing and make the best value of an area’s character.

See link to the Transport Oriented Development Program, which is connected
https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/transport-oriented-development-program.pdf

Recently the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the State Government is planning to establish priority development zones at seven Metro Stations. These zones will have dramatically increased density to meet the bulk of the state’s housing targets. See link to article Sydney poised for priority development zones to solve housing crisis (smh.com.au)

There is speculation on which seven locations will be selected, and the State government is refusing to comment as the proposal goes to Cabinet. If Marrickville is selected as a priority housing zone, the focus on high rise would lead to the loss of the historic Marrickville town centre, and a complete change to the character of the area.

We have contacted the offices of our local State Member of Parliament, Jo Haylen, and our Federal representative Anthony Albanese. They have previously supported Marrickville residents on issues such as this, and we need their support again.

If you do not want Marrickville to become high rise units, it is important that you let our local MPs know. Jo Haylen’s office can be contacted on 9572 5900 and [email protected]; Anthony Albanese’s office is on 9564 3588 and [email protected] To have best effect, we recommend communication be clear and respectful.

If Marrickville is selected as a priority housing precinct, Save Marrickville residents will move to campaign mode, and this will require resources to get our message out. Please make any donations via this link. Even a small donation will help. If you want more information or you can help out, contact us at [email protected]  

Save Marrickville resident group supports the following principles for planning Marrickville, through the new Inner West Local Environment Plan:

1. Share growth and housing targets evenly across Inner West LGA, with 1,200 additional dwellings to be located in Marrickville/Midjuburi Ward (1)
2. Include Marrickville Commercial Centre Heritage Conservation Area in the LEP, with HCA and heritage items assessment supported by work completed in 2009, 2016 and 2022 (2)
3. Include in LEP all Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) recommended in the Inner West Heritage Review Residential 2022 (3)
4. Complete studies of the other identified potential HCAs for inclusion in the LEP, as recommended by the Heritage Review (4)
5. No new buildings in Marrickville to be over 5 storeys or 20 metres
6. Preserve industrial land, and not rezone it to residential
7. 25% of new dwellings built to be social housing (5)  
8. Remove exemptions or loopholes which grant additional storeys and density to developers, such as “affordable” housing that is not affordable
9. Boarding houses, studio and serviced apartments to count towards housing targets
10. New dwellings approved but not built before a new LEP, to count towards housing targets
11. Additional dwellings to be close to a train station or bus route, regardless of whether they are near a commercial centre.

These principles are consistent with those of the Save Dully Residents’ Action Group. The objectives of these principles are to:

• Develop a town centre and suburb which is in the best interests of people who live, visit and work in Marrickville

• Protect the character and heritage of Marrickville Commercial Centre, and our residential areas which are largely one and two storeys.

Notes:

1. Inner West LGA has a housing target of nearly 6,000 additional dwellings for the next six years under the new LEP. Marrickville/Midjuburi ward’s share should be 1,200 additional dwellings, with growth allocated evenly and fairly across the five wards of the LGA.
2. A Heritage Study completed in 2009 for Marrickville Council identified contributory (or period) buildings along Marrickville Road Commercial precinct for inclusion in a potential HCA. Further work in 2016 identified period/contributory buildings on Illawarra Road commercial precinct. The 2022 Heritage Review identified period buildings in the Marrickville Commercial Centre to be investigated for listing as heritage items; heritage and period buildings support HCA assessments. The Heritage Review 2022 recommended that a study of “Marrickville Road and Illawarra Road Shopping Centre” potential HCA be completed. Therefore significant work has already been undertaken and should be finalised, to assess Marrickville Commercial Centre as a potential HCA to include in the LEP. 
3. HCAs in Marrickville recommended for inclusion by the 2022 Heritage Review were: Marrickville Market Gardens Estate; Shrublands Estate; Inter-War Group; Woodlands Estate; Terrace Gardens Estate; Pilgrim Avenue; and The Warren. Details are in the review.
4. Studies of a number of potential HCAs identified by Council were not undertaken by the Heritage Review 2022, for reasons including the impact of COVID. These studies should be completed for potential inclusion of these HCAs in the LEP, as recommended by the review. In addition to Marrickville Commercial Centre, these potential HCAs in Marrickville to be studied are: O’Hara to Fletcher Streets; Illawarra to Carrington & Railway to Warren; Corner Livingstone & Marrickville Rds; Marrickville Road; Warren Shopping Precinct. Details including boundaries are in the 2022 Review.
5. New accommodation built in Marrickville will not be affordable for people on low incomes, unless a proportion is required to be social housing. The term “affordable housing” is vague and often not targeted to people on lowest incomes, while social housing is clearly defined, affordable and targeted to low income households. Note that some older affordable dwellings are lost when a site is redeveloped, and Greater London Council has a target of 30% for affordable housing in new developments. See Save Marrickville’s position on Affordable Housing.

Marrickville is synonymous with diversity. This is why everyone should take the time to have their say on the new Local Environment Plan (LEP) which will shape what our suburb looks and feels like. 

Register for the Your Say Council Newsletter here.

What has happened?

Shortly before our community meeting on 22nd September the Council withdrew the urban design studies for Marrickville, Dulwich Hill and North Ashfield. The mayor announced that Council would seek advice from the State government over how to spread the LGA’s housing targets.

Subsequently, Council Jessica D’Arenizo put a motion regarding the LEP to Council which can be read here (look for Item 16). Importantly for the community the motion included these 2 points: 

• - Report to Council outlining all the options available with an expanded LEP process including a comprehensive community consultation plan.
• - Convene a roundtable discussion inviting renters, owners, businesses, community groups, advocacy groups and planners to discuss shared objectives with a local government wide LEP approach.

The motion was unanimously supported by all Councillors.

What you need to do?

We urge people to keep an eye out for information about how they can become involved in the LEP consultation process as Council works on a new way to co-design this process. Save Marrickville is only one voice among many and we are keen for as many people who live and work in our community to be part of the process. Make sure you are signed up to receive emails from the IW Council.

Why is the LEP so important?

• - The LEP sets out the rules of where development can occur and what that development looks like.
• - The set rules cannot be easily changed.
• - Developments that meet the rules are approved and there is nothing anyone can do to oppose it. 
• - DA’s can only be opposed on the grounds that they contravene the rules in the LEP. 

This is why as a community we need to work together to establish rules that work for everyone - residents, renters, business owners and commercial tenants.

Save Marrickville’s goals

Save Marrickville  hasn’t wavered from the goals we originally agreed upon back in 2017 in response to the Sydenham to Bankstown strategy. These are:

• - We want sympathetic well-designed and sustainable development and density with proper transition zones. No higher than 5 storeys.
• - We feel it is critical that our heritage and local character are preserved.
• - Marrickville’s industrial and employment lands should be preserved.
• - Infrastructure needs to be planned first before rezoning.
• - Affordable housing quotas must be in place.

In addition we would like:

• For development to be spread across the LGA
• Proper community consultation

More information

• - Many of you will have noticed construction on the former Church of Christ site at 389 Illawarra Rd. The development is a Nightingale/Fresh Hope project and it is due to be completed in late 2023. This development will be build-to-rent, which is the first time Nightingale has ventured into the BTR market. The development will contain 54 micro apartments, approximately 30sq.m in size. More information here. 
• - An interesting piece from Tim Sneesby about the supply myth.