Mayor calls on NSW Premier to explain desperate rail and housing plan
Published on 24 August 2025
Watch: Mayor of Woollahra, Clr Sarah Dixson addresses concerns regarding the Woollahra railways station development plans
Mayor of Woollahra, Councillor Sarah Dixson has questioned how plans announced today by the Minns Labor Government to redevelop an abandoned Woollahra railway station, build 10,000 new apartments and rezone nearby land will address housing affordability for young people and families.
“The only people getting excited about this announcement are the developers, who by the government’s own admission will be leading this project, giving them a blank cheque to build luxury apartments in Sydney’s East. To achieve 10,000 new apartments, we could be looking at 50 apartment towers of at least 30 storeys in a relatively small and already high density area, which is a disastrous abandonment of metropolitan planning principles,” Mayor Dixson said.
“The government has confirmed that only 1,000 out of 10,000 homes will be mandated as affordable housing, locking the majority of essential workers out.
“The majority of land between Edgecliff and Bondi Junction train stations along the ridgeline and the proposed development area is within a Heritage Conservation Area and we are curious to know how this will be managed, or will it be abandoned too?
Affordability Concerns
“With the average price of 2-bedroom units in the Woollahra area priced at $1.5-2million and rent at around $4,000 a month, how will young people be able to afford these new apartments?
“Like many other young Sydneysiders, I am keen to hear how spending $193m plus of public money on reviving an unused train station 800m (90 seconds by train) from an existing one at Edgecliff and the proposed apartment towers are going to deliver housing that is affordable.
“I agree we need more housing and better transport and I understand the government is looking for a Plan B after its failed Rosehill project, but this seems desperately rushed, with no thought given to the impact on existing traffic congestion, infrastructure, hospitals, schools and parking and no concern for the community or character of the area.
“This will be a state-led project and disappointingly Council will have very little ability to influence decisions made, however we do want a seat at the planning table on one of the biggest developments ever seen in the local area. Thorough consultation, a business case and strategic planning would be a good start, as Council already had more appropriate strategic development plans for Edgecliff with the government for approval.
The numbers need to stack up
“Adding another 10,000 apartments and double or triple that in terms of population in one of Sydney’s most densely populated areas requires careful thought and planning. The Woollahra LGA is already at 80% mid to high density and we exceeded previous government housing targets and were on track to deliver what was expected.
“Premier Minns needs to do his homework to make sure the numbers stack up more for young renters and homeowners than they do for developers, otherwise the only train tickets being purchased from this station will be one way out of Sydney.”