Randwick City Council will investigate reducing minimum lot sizes for low density residential development.

Under current Randwick Council planning controls, minimum lot sizes for low density residential subdivision is 400sqm, meaning only properties of 800sqm or more can be subdivided into either a strata or Torrens Title lot.

As a work-around, increasing numbers of duplexes are being built in suburbs such as Maroubra, Matraville and Chifley on lot sizes as small as 450sqm under Company Title which is not subject to Council approval.

At its meeting on 28 November 2017, Council also resolved to hold a forum with the local community and local State Members as well as the Federal Member to hear from the community on this issue.

Randwick Mayor Shurey said: “Council wants to listen to our local residents and ratepayers to find out their experiences of our planning controls and how it’s affecting families. We heard at the Council meeting that it’s increasingly hard for buyers to get finance to buy company title duplexes.

“We need to explore ways of addressing this issue whilst ensuring that we don’t negatively impact housing affordability and the amenity of our suburbs,” Mayor Shurey said.

A report will be presented to Council next year detailing the outcome of the review.