FAQ

Council subscribes to a series of demographic information resources designed to inform the characteristics of Willoughby's population and how they are changing.  These are available on Councilsdemographic webpage https://forecast.id.com.au/willoughby There are two ways in which populations can change, through net migration and / or through natural increase (births minus deaths). Some areas are more driven by one or other of these factors. Migration is largely driven by housing development, whereas natural increase is a function of the age of the population. Willoughby City Component 2012 to 2016 2017 to 2021 2022 to 2026 2027 to 2031 2032 to 2036 Births 5,134 5,239 5,367 5,507 Deaths 2,214 2,496 2,830 3,234 Natural increase/decrease 2,920 2,743 2,538 2,273 Net migration 1,759 903 214 255 Change in persons in non-private dwellings 56 0 115 55 Total population change 4,735 3,646 2,867 2,582 Source: .id the population experts 

The Draft Housing Strategy concludes that in terms of strategic directions the additional 6,700 dwellings estimated as required to 2036 can be accommodated by applying 3 focus areas as follows:

·  Focus area 1in existing medium and high density zones, (R3 and R4) that have not as yet been developed to the full potential of the zone.

·  Focus area 2in the proposed B4 Mixed Use zone which surround the B3 Commercial Core of the Central Business District as identified in The Chatswood CBD Planning and Urban Design Strategy to 2036.

·  Focus area 3in the local centres identified in Draft Local Centres Strategy as per the potential changes proposed for:

·  Artarmon

·  Northbridge

·  East Chatswood

·  Penshurst Street

·  Castlecrag

·  Naremburn

·  Willoughby South

The population of Willoughby is expected to rise in 2036 from its current 78,018 to 91,848 (an increase of 13,830 .id Forecast). This increase includes singles, families and older people who will have different housing needs, requiring a mix of housing types to be available. From a current figure of 30,367 dwellings an increase to 37,125 by 2036 is estimated amounting to approximately 6,758 additional dwellings.  An extra 6,758 dwellings will be required, comprising separate houses – (including in the form of secondary dwellings and dual occupancies), flats, terraces and townhouses. 

Affordable housing is housing that is rented to people on low to moderate incomes. Council has been implementing its affordable housing program since 1999. The purpose of the affordable housing program is to maintain diversity and social mix of the community and retain a workforce that can undertake service industries that are essential to the Chatswood and St Leonards Business Districts and industrial areas. Affordable housing is open to a broader range of incomes than traditional public social housing and is managed more like a private rental property.

Willoughby Local Environmental Plan 2012 requires 4% of the total floor space of new dwellings within identified Willoughby Local Housing Precincts to be provided as affordable housing.

The Draft Housing Strategy proposes an amended Affordable Housing provision of 7% in the short term rising to 10% by 2026.

The Hill PDA Willoughby Local Centres Study Feasibility Testing of Development Scenarios report is Commercial in Confidence as it contains commercially sensitive material; however, the Tipping Point Analysis included in the Hill PDA report is available at have Your Say Willoughby in the document section at https://www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au/30387/documents/97438