Thousands more people will call Sydney's northern beaches home over the next few years, after the Baird government unveiled plans to transform a large slice of undeveloped land into a new suburb with more than 3000 homes.
For more than 80 years, Ingleside, a short drive from Mona Vale, has been eyed off by successive NSW governments as Sydney's next suburban haven.
More National News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:55
Negative gearing debate fires up
Negative gearing debate fires up
NSW Liberal Rob Stokes has broken ranks with federal colleagues by supporting calls to reform negative gearing. Courtesy ABC News 24.
Up Next
Silicon Valley is coming Down Under
- Video duration
- 01:00
- Video duration
- 01:00
Silicon Valley is coming Down Under
Silicon Valley is coming Down Under
Queensland will host an international conference called Myriad designed to connect investors with tech entrepreneurs in March 2017.
Up Next
Europe's migrant crisis: a year on
- Video duration
- 03:41
- Video duration
- 03:41
Europe's migrant crisis: a year on
Europe's migrant crisis: a year on
Germany is battling to stem the rise of the far-right and to provide a new life for up to a million refugees. Now, it's looking towards Australia for some controversial answers, Eryk Bagshaw reports from Berlin.
Up Next
Australian Museum's $285 million master plan
- Video duration
- 02:15
- Video duration
- 02:15
Australian Museum's $285 million master ...
Australian Museum's $285 million master plan
The nation's oldest museum has unveiled plans to help it showcase more of its 18.5 million object collection.
Up Next
NT stabbing victim's wife released from hospital
- Video duration
- 00:35
- Video duration
- 00:35
NT stabbing victim's wife released from ...
NT stabbing victim's wife released from hospital
Melbourne man arrested over the outback stabbing death of French tourists in the Northern Territory is yet to be charged.
Up Next
Morwell teen charged with hit-run
- Video duration
- 01:32
- Video duration
- 01:32
Morwell teen charged with hit-run
Morwell teen charged with hit-run
A teenager celebrating schoolies has been mowed down in an alleged hit-run on Phillip Island.
Up Next
MPs tackle housing affordability
- Video duration
- 01:41
- Video duration
- 01:41
MPs tackle housing affordability
MPs tackle housing affordability
Scott Morrison summons all the state treasures to Canberra to tackle the housing affordability crisis.
Up Next
Farms raided over labour exploitation claims
- Video duration
- 01:02
- Video duration
- 01:02
Farms raided over labour exploitation ...
Farms raided over labour exploitation claims
Authorities raided a supplier to major supermarkets Vizzarri Farms in Koo Wee Rup, Victoria, on Friday morning over claims of the company using unlawful migrant workers.
Negative gearing debate fires up
NSW Liberal Rob Stokes has broken ranks with federal colleagues by supporting calls to reform negative gearing. Courtesy ABC News 24.
On Friday, NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes announced the suburb would finally proceed as he unveiled draft plans that would result in up to 3400 houses and terraces being built on 15 hectares of open space, and a further 200 hectares of preserved bushland.
"This is a land release that has been spoken about since the 1920s," Mr Stokes said. "This is a very long time in the making."
Mr Stokes said the precinct would feature a range of different types of housing, including terrace-style dwellings, as well as a town centre, a neighbourhood centre, a primary school and other community facilities.
The precinct would also be subject to a 5-10 per cent affordable housing target, meaning a percentage of the homes would be set aside as below-market rental properties for lower-income workers.
It was first time such a target has been applied to a land release on the northern beaches, Mr Stokes said.
The development has the broad support of Sustainable Ingleside, a community advocacy group that has been lobbying the government to ensure the new suburb is "a shining example of environmental sustainability".
"We want this development to be a template for 21st century residential developments across the entire state of NSW to show others how it should be done," co-ordinator Graeme Jessup said.
The new suburb is the latest move by the Baird government to increase housing supply in a bid to tackle Sydney's chronic housing affordability problem.
Mr Stokes drew national attention last month when, in a departure from the prevailing policy position held by his federal colleagues, he called on the Turnbull government to reform negative gearing rules rather than perceiving the housing affordability crisis as solely an issue of supply.
But Mr Stokes wouldn't be drawn again on the issue, declining to say if he had asked Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian to raise the issue with federal Treasurer Scott Morrison at a meeting of the nation's treasurers on Friday, in which housing affordability was on the agenda.
While he said his position on negative gearing remained unchanged, he was focusing on the elements of the problem he had "direct control over".
"I realise as the state's Planning Minister, the main lever I have is to focus on housing supply, and that's exactly what we are doing.
"Over time this will make a difference to the Sydney housing market by putting downward pressure on housing costs."
However, those hoping to move into the new suburb will have a wait on their hands.
Mr Stokes would not commit to a firm date for when the suburb would open, but said the government hoped to complete important legwork, such as finalising the rezoning process as well as completing other statutory requirements, by the end of next year.