Residents in Sydney are bracing for significant changes to their neighborhoods as the New South Wales government aims to build an additional 377,000 homes over the next five years. This initiative has sparked concerns among homeowners who fear their communities will be transformed beyond recognition.

Alyce Umback, a new homeowner in Marrickville, is among those worried about the impact of these developments. After a challenging three-year search, she and her partner purchased a 120-year-old cottage last July. "We wanted to live here for at least a couple of decades for our kids to go to the local school, to know our neighbors, to form a sense of community," Umback said. However, proposed zoning changes could lead to the construction of medium and high-density residential buildings in her area, replacing the low-density homes that currently exist.

The state government has introduced zoning changes that allow for small apartment blocks, while local councils are proposing even larger developments. In one plan, Jersey Street's one and two-story homes could be replaced by apartments ranging from nine to eleven stories. While no residents will be forced to sell their homes, the changes could significantly affect their quality of life. "If you've got a nine-storey plus high-rise going up right next to your backyard that blocks out all of the sunlight... would you want to live next to it?" Umback questioned.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne argues that these changes are necessary to maintain the area's vibrant character. "Every week we're seeing young people who love the inner-west being forced out by the cost of housing," he said. Byrne emphasized the need for more housing to accommodate those who contribute to the community's culture.

NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully supports the councils' efforts to address housing shortages. "What we did was raise the bar to a new minimum and said to all of the councils, you can go beyond that with your strategic planning if you wish," he stated. However, Umback expressed skepticism about the proposed developments, believing they are disproportionate and unlikely to lead to affordable housing. She noted that only a small percentage of new developments are designated for affordable housing.

Byrne acknowledged that the affordable housing goals are still being developed. He mentioned that the council is working on economic modeling to determine how much not-for-profit housing can be achieved through these plans. Additionally, the council is converting some of its car parks into not-for-profit housing, aiming for all homes in those areas to be council-owned.

Despite the promise of increased property values, some residents are not comforted by the prospect. Kerri Kennedy, who has lived on Jersey Street for 30 years, is focused on her family's needs rather than financial gain. "We're here to shelter our family, and their families... we've designed the house for multi-generational living," she said. Kennedy believes that solutions to housing affordability should not solely rely on large apartment complexes.

Scully pointed out that the changes are a response to decades of restrictive development policies. He noted that New South Wales has been building fewer homes per capita compared to other states, contributing to Sydney's status as one of the most expensive cities for housing globally. Height restrictions and floor-space ratios have been lifted in many areas close to public transport and shopping centers to facilitate new housing developments.

In the Hills Shire, thousands of new homes are planned, but Mayor Michelle Byrne expressed concerns about local infrastructure's ability to keep pace with the rapid population growth. "We know there's going to be an extra 141,000 residents by 2041," she said, highlighting the strain on schools and public services.

Scully assured that new infrastructure is on the way, emphasizing the importance of building homes to meet the growing demand. "Perhaps it's quicker than the mayor and the council might've liked, but the reality is we're matching that housing growth with investment in the services that those communities need," he said.