Mayor's Message - 3 December 2025

Mayor Ann Marie Kimber provides an update on the preparation of a long-term strategic masterplan that seeks to amend how the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy is applied in some areas of Mosman.  

Full statement

I’m really pleased to share that we’ve secured agreement from our Council to prepare a long-term strategic Masterplan that seeks to amend how the Low and Mid-Rise (LMR) Housing Policy is applied in some areas of Mosman. This has come about through the willingness of the NSW Government to work with our Council to consider refinements on the interplay of the LMR controls with any proposed new controls for Mosman. 

It's an exciting way forward that was supported unanimously at last night’s (2 December 2025) Council meeting. But there are some conditions. 

The NSW Government has been clear that the LMR will not be paused in any of the locations where it applies. While our Council has resolved to keep advocating for a pause, we need to be aware that the LMR will not stop while our plan is prepared. But we do have the opportunity to refine it in key areas where we believe it is having a detrimental impact. 

State Significant Developments (SSDs) and those submitted through the Housing Delivery Authority will not be paused and will continue to be determined by the Government, outside Council’s control. But with our plan, these types of proposals should take Council’s long-term planning into consideration. 

The Department of Planning supports councils developing new controls for their town centres in the LMR housing areas and increasing density in these areas.  

In our discussions, the department has made it clear that any plan must deliver outcomes equal to or greater than those achievable under the LMR, not simply meet Council’s housing target of 500 dwellings. So now, having undertaken considerable advocacy on behalf of Mosman in response to the LMR and the unprecedented level of development activity triggered by SSD pathways, our focus turns to what’s next. 

We’re taking a thoughtful, realistic approach – planning only for the growth that Mosman’s infrastructure, character and heritage can genuinely support, so our community continues to thrive. Work is already in progress, but our plan will involve several stages in a process that is evidence-based, community-informed, and strategically aligned with long-term planning objectives. 

This typically takes about two years. Our professional industry advice is that with an accelerated timeline, we could reduce that to closer to eight months, and we will do whatever we can to expedite this process. We're also committed to hearing from our community, and I look forward to your participation in that program of engagement. 

I know these changes are having a real impact on many of you. I want to assure you that we will continue advocating strongly and working tirelessly for the best outcomes for Mosman.