The Georges River Record

Georges River Council has voted to push for stronger heritage protection after the demolition of 49 Park Street, Carlton, a home the community regarded as having heritage value.

The Park Street demolition was approved by a private certifier under a complying development certificate, which allowed the existing dwelling to be demolished and three terrace homes built. The certificate complied with the New South Wales Housing Patent Book, introduced as part of the state government's low and mid rise housing policy.

"the slimmest of windows"

The mayor said four layers of state planning controls combined on this site: complying development certificates, private certification, the low and mid rise housing policy and the Housing Patent Book. Compliant development normally has a 14 day notification period, cut to seven days under the Patent Book code, which the mayor said leaves council with very little time to assess heritage value.

The motion asked the state government to reconsider high density proposals that allow 20 storey buildings in areas zoned for six storeys, including the Nawi pub and Mortdale RSL sites, and called for councils to have meaningful involvement in these assessments.

That motion was carried with eight votes for and six against. Council also dealt with the Carss Park Pool project variation, which the general manager described as largely an administrative update to the project agreement with the Office of Sport covering design definitions, reporting on major design changes and the project control group. Staff said the new aquatic centre is on track for delivery in late 2027, with machinery recently on site.

The council also carried a motion to rejoin the Cooks River Alliance.