The deluge was no deterrent for the hundreds of residents who showed up – dressed in raincoats and carrying umbrellas – to protest against a Sydney council’s plan to rezone and build 31,000 new homes in the inner west.

Following an hour-long rally outside the chambers on Monday night, protesters filled Ashfield Civic Centre waving placards and repeatedly interjecting, leading Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne to demand silence so all 80 speakers at the four-hour-long forum could be heard.

Protesters demonstrate outside Ashfield Civic Centre, where a public forum on the council’s Fairer Futures housing plan was held. Credit: Max Mason-Hubers

Tensions between councillors and the irate crowd reached boiling point at the fiery community meeting over the council’s bespoke plan to boos

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