Sydney Residents Challenge Bylaws Banning Them From Drying Laundry Outdoors
High-rise living in Sydney often comes with a hidden bylaw that has residents frustrated and questioning priorities: no drying laundry outdoors.
Many apartment complexes enforce bylaws that prevent residents from hanging clothes on their balconies or anywhere else visible.
The restriction, often intended to keep a clean, uniform aesthetic, has led to concerns about sustainability, cost, and personal choice coming to the forefront.
Owners Corporation Network of Australia Exec on mounting environmental pressure
Karen Stiles, executive director of the Owners Corporation Network of Australia,
sees this as a growing issue. She notes that new high-rise developments rarely
incorporate communal drying areas, forcing residents to rely on energy-hungry
dryers.
sees this as a growing issue. She notes that new high-rise developments rarely
incorporate communal drying areas, forcing residents to rely on energy-hungry
dryers.
Stiles emphasises that with environmental and financial pressures mounting, it’s
more crucial than ever to explore eco-friendly, affordable solutions rather than simply
enforcing these appearance-based rules.
Energy-hungry dryers eats into bills
The cost of dryers, both financially and environmentally, is a core part of the debate.
Conventional dryers consume around 4.5kWh per load, which adds up significantly
on monthly bills, especially for families who need frequent laundry. Moreover, dryers
increase carbon emissions, contradictory to the sustainability goals that many
Australians support. Other solutions like heat-pump dryers, which are more energy-
efficient, can also come with a hefty price tag that places them out of reach for many
residents.
Conventional dryers consume around 4.5kWh per load, which adds up significantly
on monthly bills, especially for families who need frequent laundry. Moreover, dryers
increase carbon emissions, contradictory to the sustainability goals that many
Australians support. Other solutions like heat-pump dryers, which are more energy-
efficient, can also come with a hefty price tag that places them out of reach for many
residents.
NSW outdated bylaws prioritises aesthetics over functionality
Despite the NSW government updated model strata bylaws in 2016 to allow clothes
drying on parts of a balcony not visible from the street, many buildings have been
slow to adapt. For some, these restrictions reflect an outdated mindset that
prioritises aesthetics over practical needs, adding stress to already financially
stretched residents.
drying on parts of a balcony not visible from the street, many buildings have been
slow to adapt. For some, these restrictions reflect an outdated mindset that
prioritises aesthetics over practical needs, adding stress to already financially
stretched residents.
Sustainable alternatives to the Sydney outdoor laundry bylaws
As a compromise, buildings could consider alternatives, like communal drying racks
or designated drying rooms equipped with heaters and dehumidifiers. Such spaces
would allow residents to dry their clothes without the environmental cost of a dryer
and without disrupting the building’s appearance. Still, widespread adoption of these
solutions has yet to take off, as the perception around clothes drying remains rigid in
many areas.
or designated drying rooms equipped with heaters and dehumidifiers. Such spaces
would allow residents to dry their clothes without the environmental cost of a dryer
and without disrupting the building’s appearance. Still, widespread adoption of these
solutions has yet to take off, as the perception around clothes drying remains rigid in
many areas.
For many Sydney residents, lifting these laundry restrictions could significantly
improve day-to-day life. In the face of rising living costs and environmental concerns,
advocates for change argue that practical solutions, such as communal drying areas
or designated drying rooms, would benefit both residents and building management.
If enough voices push back on these bylaws, Sydney’s high-rise communities might
soon see a shift toward policies that prioritise a more sustainable and affordable
approach to urban living, encouraging strata corporations to rethink restrictions that
no longer align with modern needs.
advocates for change argue that practical solutions, such as communal drying areas
or designated drying rooms, would benefit both residents and building management.
If enough voices push back on these bylaws, Sydney’s high-rise communities might
soon see a shift toward policies that prioritise a more sustainable and affordable
approach to urban living, encouraging strata corporations to rethink restrictions that
no longer align with modern needs.
