1966: Overdevelopment of Sydney Harbour foreshores

"Overdevelopment" is a very common term used in Sydney today to describe the rezoning of neighbourhoods for higher density development. Even in the 1960's, it was being talked about. As this 1966 newsreel shows, it was becoming an issue along the shores of Sydney Harbour. Many of the older homes were being demolished for new unit blocks, especially on the Lower North Shore.

By the end of the 1960's, Mosman council had placed restrictions on the construction of highrise unit complexes before a complete ban in 1973. North Sydney Council would also place their own restrictions on highrise development along the harbour foreshores. 

Fast forward to the late 1980's and the issue poked its head up again when the Greiner Government tried to override planning guidelines to allow for higher density development along the harbour foreshores. This did not go down well with North Sydney residents and the local council, who had worked hard to maintain the scale of development and character.

Source: McDougall, B. 1989. "Goodbye North Sydney...hello, high rise". The Daily Telegraph, November 7: 11. 

But there was a quick back down.

Source: Morris, L. 1989. "Greiner backs down on high-rise plan". The Daily Telegraph, November 13: 3. 

Today, councils on the North Shore are subject to criticism for not taking their share of new housing from residents other parts of the metropolitan area. That will continue for the foreseeable future, but the question is how to balance it?