Randwick Council last night, Tuesday 10 December, endorsed the draft Kensington to Kingsford (K2K) Planning Strategy and Proposal, which shapes the planning framework for the two town centres.

The proposal, which will alter the Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012, outlines the vision, planning controls, urban design approach, affordable housing goals and plans to improve social environmental and economic attributes of the town centres.

“The draft planning proposal is the result of more than four years of hard work, research, consultation collaboration and planning,” said Randwick Mayor Danny Said. “At its heart is the idea that people and place are key to ensuring good design and creating amenity that elevates the lives of residents.

“The town centres of Kingsford and Kensington are set to grow and change considerably in the coming years. This strategy provides a strong, cohesive vision for their growth and ensures that Council, not developers, will have control of future development.

“Importantly, it also ensures that benefits, such as affordable housing, public spaces and plazas, will be delivered to residents, businesses and visitors and that the town centres grow in a sustainable and coordinated way to become lively and attractive places.”

Following community consultation in August 2019 a number of modifications were made to the Planning Proposal. These include:

• amending the LEP height maps with more detailed height transition maps,
• modifying the heights, setbacks and built form next to Kensington Public School,
• including two sites within the boundaries of the Planning Proposal, and
• a reduction of the Development Contributions Plan levy from 3% to 2.5%.

The K2K Proposal supports modest changes to density controls and building height. Specifically, a modest increase from seven to nine storeys in the town centres and up to 18 storeys at three nodes along Anzac Parade. It also includes a levy on new development to enable a range of community benefits to be provided such as:

• up to 200 new affordable rental properties,
• new urban plazas in key locations,
• an innovation centre to encourage start-up businesses,
• a community centre and exhibition space,
• wider footpaths,
• underground powerlines,
• separated cycleways,
• night time safety measures,
• water sensitive design, and
• public spaces.

The Proposal will now be submitted to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment requesting that the amendments be made to Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012.