Inner West Council Affordable Housing Betrayal

Kobi Shetty MP  -  Media Release  -  02, October 2025

2nd October 2025

This week, the Labor-led Inner West Council voted on its so-called Fairer Future Plan. Despite numerous objections from residents, and warnings from housing advocates that the plan would not meaningfully address the affordable housing crisis, the plan was rushed through Tuesday night's council meeting.   

Lines attributable to Kobi Shetty MP for Balmain

“The Labor-led Inner West Council has betrayed our community by pushing ahead with their so-called ‘Fairer Future Plan’. The first stage of this plan will only deliver a measly 2-3% affordable housing and will do nothing to tackle the housing crisis that is seeing young families and key workers like nurses and teachers pushed out of our community.

“There’s no shortage of luxury million-dollar-plus properties in the Inner West, but there’s a real shortage of public and genuinely affordable housing. The Council could have supported a plan to help address this need; instead, what we have is a gift for developers with no meaningful plans for affordable housing. There should be firm commitments to deliver the infrastructure that will be needed to support the additional homes. Council owes that to current and future residents.” 

The Greens know that planning reforms and outsourcing to the private market won't solve the housing affordability crisis or deliver the world-class infrastructure that our community deserves. That's why we have a plan to:

  • Control rents: We can cap rents in council-managed affordable and key worker housing at 30% of tenant income to keep essential workers - our teachers and nurses - in our neighbourhoods.
  • Prioritise world-class infrastructure, quality services and green space: New housing must come with new infrastructure like green space, community and sports facilities, and safer walking and cycling paths. The inner West already has the least public open space per person in Sydney. With more development on the way, we need serious investment in public spaces and a clear timeline for delivery. 
  • Ensure homes and communities are climate ready: The government's obsession with fossil fuels is making heating and cooling homes more costly than ever. We need a planning framework that protects urban tree canopy and ensures our community has access to solar, community batteries, and stronger minimum design standards to make it easier to keep our homes comfortable year-round, while lowering energy bills for everyone. 
  • Make developers pay their fair share: Developers stand to make massive profits from new developments in the Inner West, yet the draft LEP only requires them to pay 2-5% towards affordable housing. Council must develop a scheme to capture developer contributions at a higher rate to fund affordable homes. 
  • Protect artists, creatives, and local shops:  Innovative, socially-conscious, and community-connected small businesses, artists and creatives have shaped the vibrant, multucultural vibe we all love about the Inner West. The council needs to ensure they aren't priced out of the suburbs they helped to build by offering rent relief and other support if they experience a significant decline in turnover due to construction. 

We will keep pushing for meaningful reforms that help deliver a more affordable, sustainable, thriving Inner West for all.