She’s spending $500,000 to block new developments in Mosman. The council won’t be joining in.

Mosman residents crowded council chambers on Tuesday evening, demanding their small local council take legal action against the New South Wales Government over recently introduced planning reforms they claim could ruin the suburb’s “heritage”. 

The focus of the evening was Mosman local Judith Pearson, who has been lifted to the status of celebrity among those against increased developments after she initiated a court challenge against the state government in the Land and Environment Court.

Pearson claims the NSW low-and mid-rise housing reforms have the potential to ruin Mosman's heritage character. She has pledged $500,000 towards legal costs.

Tuesday evening’s gathering was in support of one particular motion, put forward by councillor Simon Menzies, instructing the council “take all necessary steps … to join Mrs Pearson’s legal case”.

Speaking in favour of the motion was former North Sydney Mayor, Jilly Gibson — leader of the ill-fated redevelopment of North Sydney Olympic Pool — who urged councillors to join the legal battle. 

“Just give it a go,” Gibson said of the court challenge. “What can you lose?”

Build up and build up and build up: So what do these dreaded residential developments actually look like? 

Some idea can be grasped via a proposed apartment complex on Awaba Street, which has received over a hundred written submissions. The building is six-storeys high, generally toward the top-end of mid-rise housing.

A North Shore habit: Pearson’s challenge is not entirely unprecedented. 

A similar situation arose in Ku-ring-gai last year, when the local council commenced legal action against state planning policy, citing it’s impact on local heritage character.

In this case, the challenge has resulted in a mediation process, allowing Ku-ring-gai council to develop their own planning scenario with the states approval.

Pearson made note of this case, citing it as a positive outcome.

“We have a precedent in what Ku-ring-gai council has been able to achieve”, she told the chambers.

Not everyone’s on board: While receiving large resident support in the Mosman council chambers, Pearson’s court case has not been without critics. 

Some have pointed out Pearson herself has acted as a property developer as recently as 2008. Sydney YIMBY — a group advocating for more housing — has called on Pearson to instead put the $500,000 pledged to the legal battle towards combating homelessness.

Ultimately, Mosman council rejected the bid to join Pearson’s legal case, instead voting to participate as an amicus curiae to the case. 

General Manager Craig Covich explained to councillors that this means, in the case of mediation, council can assist with this process.