Overview

Council recognises the demand for housing in our local area and that people on low and moderate incomes, such as many essential workers, find it difficult to afford private rental properties in the Woollahra LGA. Council is committed to supporting and facilitating affordable housing and has expressed this in numerous policies including the Community Strategic Plan 2032, Woollahra Local Strategic Planning Statement 2020, Woollahra Local Housing Strategy 2021, Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2021 and Woollahra Voluntary Planning Agreement Policy 2020.

At its meeting of 23 March 2026, Council resolved to reaffirm its commitment to the provision of affordable housing within the Woollahra LGA in perpetuity and to exhibit the Draft Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2026.

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson says Council wants affordable housing provided in perpetuity

"We support the provision of affordable housing in the Woollahra community in perpetuity, not just for 15 years as identified under the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing (LMR) Policy.

The blanket rezoning imposed by the LMR Policy places existing affordable housing for young families, essential workers and single renters at risk and does not guarantee a component in new developments. Our draft Policy represents our commitment to affordable housing and we welcome public feedback on it," Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson said.

What is affordable housing?

In broad terms, affordable housing is rental housing for people on low to moderate incomes who are priced out of the private market but don’t qualify for social housing. The rent is set lower than market rates and typically no more than 30% of the household income. This helps essential workers, families, and others meet housing costs without sacrificing basic needs like food, healthcare, and transport.

Draft Affordable Housing Policy

The purpose of the Draft Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy 2026 (Draft Policy) is to identify Council’s role in affordable housing, and to ensure that affordable housing delivered through Council’s policies (i.e. Affordable housing contributions scheme or a Voluntary planning agreement) is fit for purpose and retained for affordable housing in perpetuity.

The Draft Policy provides direction to Council staff, Council, Community Housing Providers, and Applicants, to guide consistent decision making.

Key elements of the Draft Policy include:

  • Affordable housing contributions are to be retained for affordable housing in perpetuity.
  • Contributions are to be used for affordable housing within the Woollahra LGA only.
  • Council favours in-kind contributions (i.e. dwellings) over monetary contributions. However, Council will accept monetary contributions, or a combination of both.
  • In-kind contributions are required when the affordable housing contribution equates to a dwelling unit with a gross floor area of 50sqm or more, as set out in the Woollahra Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme.
  • In-kind contributions must be fit for purpose and meet the needs of low and moderate income households e.g. suitably built, designed and located. Council, in consultation with Community Housing Providers, will establish a framework for assessing and accepting in-kind contributions to ensure that dwellings proposed for affordable housing are suitable.
  • Council will retain ownership of monetary and in-kind affordable housing contributions.
  • Council will engage Community Housing Provider/s to manage the affordable housing.
  • Any decision to sell the affordable dwellings must be by Council resolution and funds obtained through the sale must be reinvested into affordable housing in the Woollahra LGA.

If Council adopts the Draft Policy it will replace the existing Woollahra Affordable Policy 2021.

Public Exhibition

Have your say

We invite feedback on the Draft Woollahra Affordable Housing Policy via the online form below, email or mail.

A hard copy of the exhibition material is available at the Woollahra Council Customer Service area, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay – 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

All submissions received during the exhibition period will be considered by Council.

Public exhibition period is from 8.30am, Wednesday 10 June 2026 to 11.59pm, Sunday 12 July 2026.

See privacy note under FAQs on this page.