Development of 10 storeys and over in Bay Street, Brighton-Le-Sands would be feasible 'in principle', a Bayside Council study has found.

For decades, residents of Brighton-Le-Sands have consistently raised concerns about inappropriate high-rise development proposals in the area. The current Masterplan is not occurring in isolation - it forms part of a long history of attempts to introduce excessive density into this unique coastal suburb.

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As early as 1988, Council received requests from a small number of residents to rezone Princess Street for eight-storey development. Throughout the 1990s, a series of studies, draft LEPs and public exhibitions followed, triggering widespread community concern. By 1996, approximately 1,600 public submissions had been lodged opposing high-density proposals for Brighton-Le-Sands.

Importantly, in 1997, Council resolved to delete the proposed high-rise Residential 2D zoning from the Brighton planning framework following strong community opposition. Yet despite this clear position from residents, further proposals continued into the early 2000s.

In 2001, a Section 68 Public Hearing before Commissioner Simpson considered the proposed rezoning of Princess Street and Gordon Street for high-rise development. The outcome was significant: the Commissioner recommended that Council abandon the plan.

Residents are not opposed to sensible growth. However, this proposal raises serious concerns about overdevelopment, infrastructure strain and the long-term loss of the unique coastal character that makes Brighton-Le-Sands such a valued place to live.

Our area is already under immense pressure. Roads are congested, parking is limited, public transport remains inadequate and essential services are struggling to keep pace with existing population growth.

Yet despite this, further large-scale density is being proposed without clear solutions to these existing issues.

Brighton-Le-Sands is not simply another "urban renewal corridor." It is a historic coastal suburb with established communities, local businesses, family-friendly streetscapes and a lifestyle that cannot be recreated once lost.

Many residents are increasingly frustrated that state housing targets appear to be overriding genuine community consultation and local planning considerations.

Bayside has already accommodated significant levels of medium and high-density housing compared to many other Sydney LGAs. There comes a point where growth must be balanced with liveability, infrastructure capacity and local character.

Development should be sensitive, sustainable and properly planned - not driven purely by housing numbers and planning targets.

I strongly urge Council to genuinely listen to residents before irreversible changes are made to Brighton-Le-Sands and surrounding suburbs.

Promises, promises the budget

A third consecutive interest rate rise from the Reserve Bank of Australia; a turbulent political environment as the National Party gains momentum while the Liberal Party crawls off into the sunset; artificial intelligence causing huge losses in employment. I have heard that the Treasurer Jim Chalmers will recommend that, to reduce the unemployment queues, the school - leaving age be raised to age 37; and by reducing the length of the lines of those seeking unemployment benefits, the applicants should stand closer together. Have an enjoyable financial year and enjoy your meal, if you can afford it.

Calling all the loyal Arsenal fans in the St George area

I am a long-standing Arsenal fan having watched tem play first in late November.

1974. Actually, it was the day after in London that i went to Highbury to watch them play .

Charlie George was my favourite player then I was hooked. At English Premier League the skill, the speed and the enthusiasm of the fans. Saka, no 7 is my current favourite player .

I saw Arsenal play again at Highbury in late December 1983. In May 2013, Iwent past Emirates in the train (opened in 2006 ) en route to a football presentation in the north of England I vowed then that I would return one day, and make it to a game, And I did on November 23 2025 . Arsenal played Tottenham Hotspurs.

I had previously done a tour of the stadium, and on the day of the game i visited the Museum. What an amazing experience to again be able to watch Arsenal play The fans singing North London Forever gave me goose bumps .The people sitting next to me on one side were from Texas and a London family on the other side .

I wore my new Arsenal scarf . The gun carriage faces the other way to my 1983 scarf..

And may Arsenal win the English Premier League and the match against PSG in Budapest, Hungary on May 30 2026 in the UEFA Champions League. Red and white forever .