70-signature Paddington petition adds pressure to Woollahra rezoning response

A 70-signature petition calling for the former Paddington Bowling Club site to become a community park was tabled as Woollahra Council backed an amended response to the NSW Government’s exhibited Edgecliff-Woollahra State-led Rezoning Proposal.

The petition, from Narelle Ryan and tabled by Mayor Sarah Dixson, asked Council to reconsider proposed high-rise towers on Quarry Street, Paddington, preserve the former bowling club site as a community park and consider the outlook of residents at 200 Goodwin Village.

Councillors voted 13-0 to recommend that the rezoning proposal not proceed. Council said its proposed scale and distribution of development uplift had not been shown to be evidence-based, appropriately designed, feasible, infrastructure-led or capable of delivering the claimed housing, infrastructure and public benefits.

The amended submission sets out an alternative planning approach for Edgecliff and Woollahra, calling for staged planning and further public consultation rather than a single, broad increase in development capacity across the precinct.

It also calls for infrastructure and public-benefit obligations to be funded, programmed and legally committed before additional development capacity becomes available. The NSW Government is asked to confirm the feasibility, funding, delivery responsibilities and program for Woollahra Station and supporting transport, utility, open-space, social and community infrastructure before any rezoning is finalised.

Council requested that the NSW Government work with councils to agree on realistic housing targets consistent with The Sydney Plan, while allowing local councils to use detailed local knowledge to develop plans. It will seek support from relevant NSW ministers, neighbouring councils and the City of Sydney for a more balanced, evidence-based and coordinated planning outcome for the eastern suburbs.

Thirteen people addressed councillors before the rezoning debate. Council noted extensive submissions and late correspondence, thanked community members who attended Council-led Community Activation sessions, and thanked staff and independent consultants for preparing the alternative approach, technical evidence and submission.

The amended response will be submitted to the NSW Government. The petition has been recorded for Council consideration, but no community-park decision or development approval was made.