Proposed Oxford Street Mid-Rise Concerns Paddington Locals

Residents are concerned about plans for a mid-rise development on Oxford Street in Paddington that would see existing affordable housing demolished, and which advocates fear will damage a historic precinct.

More than 100 locals gathered at the Village Inn on Tuesday 21 May to hear from independent Sydney MLA Alex Greenwich and Residents First councillor for the Paddington ward Harriet Price. Both are against the eight-story block of flats envisioned for 160 Oxford Street, named Oxford160.

The developer, Toohey Miller, wants to construct 40 units, 10 of which would be classed as “Affordable Housing” for 15 years. 27 existing units and several townhouses would be demolished.

Four Corners filmed the meeting. “We are all here because the people of Paddington and broader Sydney made over 300 submissions in opposition to the proposed development,” Greenwich said.

“These submissions all had a very similar theme, and that was to protect density and to protect affordable housing within Paddington. We know that the need of the housing crisis is not more five-to-15 million dollar apartments and homes.”

He continued that, if approved, the proposal “will demolish existing affordable housing” and replace it with luxury homes — “penthouses with rooftop swimming pools, which is far more like Ipanema than it is Paddington.”

Price praised the “really phenomenal” quality of the 346 objections to the project, and noted the opposition of Woollahra Council. The municipality has no power to refuse the State Significant proposal.

Community is appalled, says councillor

“Paddington has a long and successful tradition of community activism,” she later told the City Hub, acknowledging the work of the Paddington Society. “I am proud to have been involved in more recent efforts, including saving the Four & Hand Hotel, the Village Inn and now 160 Oxford Street.”

“The community is rightly appalled by the proponent’s plan to demolish 27 relatively affordable studio apartments to make way for private penthouses with plunge pools and harbour views.”

“The Affordable Housing Scheme is not delivering the long term housing our city needs.”

“I am hopeful that with Alex’s support, legislative changes can be made to ensure that existing, genuinely low cost rentals are protected and affordable long term housing can be delivered.”

Greenwich said that better policies are needed to solve the housing crisis. “I have called for a statewide no-net loss planning policy, exclusion of the In-fill Affordable Housing Bonus when a development would reduce the number of low-cost homes, and strong investment in social housing.”

Opposition is strong

A powerful moment on the night came when a local developer gave an impromptu speech against the proposal, addressing the premier.

“Chris, you’ve got it all wrong, maybe because you’re so young — and therefore I excuse you if you’re inexperienced — but you’ve got it all wrong. You’re going to create 27 homeless people here. You’ll say, ‘Oh, yes, but in 15 years’ time, 10 of you will be able to go in there.’ The reality is, they will never be able to afford to go in there, because what you’re building is luxury anyway.”

The National Trust is opposed, too. “Paddington is a unique urban area which possesses historical, aesthetic, technical and social significance at a National and State level,” its submission declares.

“An important factor in the significance of Paddington is its exceptional unity, encompassing scale, character, history, architecture and urban form.”

“The built environment of Paddington is an excellent example of the process of 19th century inner city urbanisation of Sydney which was largely completed by 1890.” Its terraces “clearly trace the evolution of the imported English Georgian and Regency terrace models” into a unique Australian style, the trust wrote.

Toohey Miller was contacted for comment.