The Rockdale High Density Residential precinct would deliver six to nine storey unit blocks in a landscaped setting.

The NSW Government Deserves to be Dumped as a Result of Planning Changes at the Next State Election, March 13 2027.

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Recently a Master Plan was released for the Rockdale Town Centre and Brighton-Le-Sands by Bayside Council. They are both plans of overreach: density, density and density.

They probably are little different to some of the plans being currently launched for Kurnell, Rhodes, Riverwood, Homebush, Strathfield, Gordon, and many other suburbs across Sydney.

Large parts of the Rockdale Master Plan and the Brighton Plan "miss the mark" by a considerable distance. By Mr Minns' planning standards, and the Department of Planning, they are acceptable; to the local residents they are not.

What is being proposed will lead to an irreversible transformation of Rockdale's Bryant, York, George and Kent Streets.

The area being considered for density in Brighton-Le-Sands is very confronting to residents, and will forever change the culture of Brighton-Le-Sands, and cripple the area. People will be moving out of Brighton-Le-Sands.

Six to nine storeys are being planned for Rockdale, which are under the flight path. This raises huge amenity concerns for future residents. Insulation of properties results in mould, as there is poor air circulation.

In addition, the M6 tunnel travels from Bestic Street to Kent Street and to Bryant Street, Rockdale. It is close to George Street, Rockdale. And meantime, the M6 sinkhole matter drags on.

Communities in many Sydney suburbs, which are facing a deluge of high rise, are now understanding what Minns' planning policies look like on the ground. And they don't like it one bit.

I have a number of passions in my life: horse racing, Arsenal Football Club (a loyal supporter since 1974); travelling, local history and heritage properties, and my King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

The loss of our heritage properties from TODs is my trigger to make current all of my public statements on this irresponsible planning across Sydney - madness.

I have been a heritage supporter for many years, a local historian, and in my time on Rockdale and then Kogarah Councils, I have also been a heritage advocate to attempt to save heritage properties. My last success, in 2019, were the terraces at the then 14-16 Victoria Street, Kogarah which were incorporated into the new unit development.

My political DNA has always been an appropriate one for a good fight. An ancestor, a pugilist (a boxer) was later the town's butcher ,and an Alderman on the Victorian town's council, during the 1880s. My second cousin, was a respected lecturer and historian at Melbourne University for many years. And he was the Foundation Professor of Australian History, University College in Dublin 1977-1979.

By the next state election, March 13, 2027 there will be plenty of examples on the ground of what your planning policies have made possible. And it won't be a good look at to residents.

I make it clear now that I will find it very difficult to support a government that has extensively damaged our urban environment.

Mr Minns, you need to be challenged to a public debate on the issue of planning in NSW. There would be any number of residents willing to join me, as we are very angry at these changes. Will you have the fortitude to debate us?

Anne Field, Former Councillor Rockdale Council and Kogarah Councils 1991-2008

Government action on e-bikes

The issue of disrespect and bad behaviour always seems to go hand in hand with the kids on e-bikes.

I am writing to thank the NSW and Federal Government for all its efforts into the e-bikes situation. For those e-bike riders that give way, slow down, show respect and treat people like a human being, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for not being like some other e-bike riders on footpaths.

The efforts I refer too are:

1) The Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026 is with NSW parliament currently.

I hope all parties can give bipartisan support when parliament sits next in May to approve these much needed changes and pass this bill.

2) In March 2026 The NSW Government brought the maximum power of e-bikes back to 250W in line with other jurisdictions in Australia.

3) From February 2026 all e-bikes sold in NSW (or sold into NSW from other states need to be certified.

4) In December 2025, the Federal Government strengthened import regulations with the European safety standards (EN 15194) to introduce stricter non-voluntary speed limits of 25km/hr maximum and anti-tampering clauses.

5) In November 2025, the NSW Government banned converted e-bikes (regular bikes retrofitted with motor/battery kits) from Sydney Trains.

6) In November 2025, the NSW Government passed the Road Transport and Other Legislation Amendment (Micromobility Vehicles and Smartcards Bill 2025) for a stronger regulatory framework.

7) In May 2025, the NSW Government brought improved battery safety regulation.

8) Many more changes but on a smaller scale to the above, have occurred by Transport NSW and other NSW and Federal departments.