funding · Woollahra Municipal Council
Affordable housing funding mechanism rejected in Woollahra 2026-27 plan vote
A proposed system for managing affordable housing contributions was voted down 8-4 as Woollahra councillors considered the council’s budget and long-term financial plan.
Woollahra councillors have voted 8-4 against adding a mechanism to manage affordable housing contributions to the 2026-27 Operational Plan, leaving the proposed system out of the committee’s recommended plan amendments.
The amendment would have added the words: “Establish a mechanism to manage the distribution of Affordable Housing Contributions.” Councillors Andruska, Ardouin, Dixson and Silcocks voted for it. Councillors Carmichael, Mitchell, Parmegiani, Price, Regan, Torsten, Witt and Woodgate voted against it.
The contributions are generated through development. The proposed mechanism would have governed how those funds were managed and allocated across the Woollahra local government area, including areas such as Double Bay, Rose Bay, Woollahra and Watsons Bay.
The affordable housing proposal was one of three suggested changes to the draft Operational Plan. The others were installing a rain garden and gross pollutant trap, and continuing work to support rooftop solar and batteries across the local government area, particularly in apartment buildings. The affordable housing amendment was lost.
The broader recommendation to adopt the 2026-27 Operational Plan and budget, the Long Term Financial Plan covering 2026-27 to 2035-36, and the 2026-27 rating structure was carried, subject to agreed amendments.
The recommended package records $57,497,461 in rates, $20,451,750 in annual charges and $77,949,211 in combined rates and annual charges. It also removes proposed changes to the second car parking permit fee increase and continues exploration of pedestrianisation on Knox Street and/or Knox Lane in Double Bay centre.
Separately, the committee recommended approval of Amendment 4 to the Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022 after public exhibition. That plan provides the development contributions framework, which can affect development costs and funding for local infrastructure. The recommendation does not establish the affordable housing distribution mechanism rejected in the Operational Plan vote.
Reference minutes
Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee, 15 June 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The proposed affordable housing contributions mechanism was lost on a 4-8 vote.
- The proposal would have added the wording: "Establish a mechanism to manage the distribution of Affordable Housing Contributions."
- Councillors Andruska, Ardouin, Dixson and Silcocks voted for the amendment.
- Councillors Carmichael, Mitchell, Parmegiani, Price, Regan, Torsten, Witt and Woodgate voted against it.
- The committee recommended approval of Amendment 4 to the Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022 after public exhibition.
- The 2026-27 budget package records $77,949,211 in total rates and annual charges.
Why it matters
- The rejected amendment leaves no newly approved mechanism for deciding how affordable housing contributions generated through development are distributed across Woollahra.