Senator Lambie Slams NIMBYs Amid Sydney Suburb Development Controversy
In a bold move, Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has lashed out at residents opposing development in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, telling them to “get stuffed” as the NSW government plans to build 10,000 apartments in the area.
The development, which includes the opening of a long-abandoned rail station in Woollahra, has sparked strong resistance from local residents, who fear the high-rise apartment buildings will alter the character of their neighbourhoods.
Background to the Controversy
The NSW government’s plans to rezone land in Woollahra and Edgecliff for medium-to-high density living have been met with fierce opposition from locals, who have successfully blocked the opening of the Woollahra train station since the 1970s.
However, with Australia’s property market experiencing severe supply shortages, leading to skyrocketing prices, the government has been under pressure to fast-track development and increase the availability of housing.
Senator Lambie’s Comments
Speaking on Sky News, Senator Lambie slammed the “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) mentality of some residents, accusing them of hypocrisy.
“You can go and tell the NIMBYs to get stuffed,” she said.
“These are the ones that go, ‘those people need a roof over their head’, and as soon as we put a roof over their head and want to do it in their backyard, they go, ‘not my backyard, baby, not happening’.”
Sydney’s eastern suburbs are not the only areas facing development pressure, as state governments across the country grapple with the need to increase housing supply and meet federal Labor’s ambitious target of building 1.2 million homes by 2030.