Blue Mountains News

Mayor Mark Greenhill said the deliberations by the NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) that led to the Minister’s declaration of State Significant Development was beset by serious procedural failures, legal breaches, and a lack of transparency. 

“The proposed development of 214 units and 52 serviced apartments in eight four-storey buildings is completely at odds with the Katoomba escarpment,” Cr Greenhill said. 

“Revelations in last week’s Sydney Morning Herald that key Housing Delivery Authority staff used unauthorised AI software in the assessment process have only added to our concerns. 

“This has been a flawed process from the start. Council demands full disclosure from the HDA of all documents relating to the assessment and an explanation of why the site’s bushfire-prone status was lifted the day after the assessment. 

“In our view, the HDA rushed through the proposals, ignored its own criteria, failed to notify Council as required by law, and provided inadequate reasons for approving a proposal that seriously exceeds planning controls and ignores the environmental values of the Blue Mountains,” Cr Greenhill said. 

Blue Mountains City Council understands the necessity of delivering new and more affordable housing. The LGA not only continues to meet its housing target but in 2024/25 was identified by the Department of Planning as the equal third most efficient Council in development assessment in Greater Sydney. 

“Council wants more affordable housing within our city. But new housing must be well located, it must have enabling infrastructure and it must be compliant with development standards,” Cr Greenhill said.  

“The proposal in Narrow Neck Rd falls short on these counts, and we want to work with the NSW Government on reversing this poor decision.”