Minns Labor is preparing to sell government-owned land at Langsford Way, Valla Beach, on the open market, after the site was declared surplus and flagged by Property and Development NSW for 160 dwellings.
Nationals Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, said while he supports the identification of surplus government land to help address the housing crisis, the proposed site at Valla Beach is the wrong choice.
“We absolutely need more housing, but this is a small parcel of land. Cramming in 160 homes would be excessive,” Mr Kemp said.
“Labor talks about opposing privatisation, yet here they are quietly selling off public land without a transparent process. It’s privatisation by stealth.”
Mr Kemp highlighted that the Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA) has already been planned and approved to deliver around 700 new homes in a sustainable and well serviced location.
“VUGA has the infrastructure, planning approvals, and capacity to deliver far more homes than this surplus land at Valla Beach, yet the government is rushing to sell this smaller site to the highest bidder, ignoring a better-planned alternative only 3km away,” he said.
Concerns have also been raised by local residents over environmental risks and emergency evacuations, and the lack of clarity around how the site will be developed.
The community has united behind a clear campaign asking that, if development does proceed, it must not exceed 40 dwellings on the site, and the maximum height of any building should comply with the 8.5-metre Valla Beach limit.
“Residents deserve answers. They want to know what safeguards will be in place, how the sale process is being managed, and what type of housing is actually going to be delivered.
“Until those issues are addressed and the development is made clear, I do not support this decision from the government.”
Mr Kemp has formally asked the Minister to provide a detailed explanation of the process and the rationale for bypassing VUGA, which remains the more logical and responsible location for housing growth in the Valla Beach area.
