Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future
We are a community-driven organisation dedicated to preserving the historical, architectural, and social heritage of Potts Point and surrounding areas.
Potts Point Preservation Group
The Potts Point Preservation Group (PPPG) is a community-driven organisation committed to protecting the unique heritage and social fabric of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, and Rushcutters Bay.
As locals with no political bias, we advocate for responsible progress that respects the area’s rich architectural and cultural history.
Latest News
ABC Four Corners “Unaffordable: Australia’s Broken Housing Promise”
Following this programme on July 14th our Co-Founder, Anne McCormick sent this letter to the SMH:
The Four Corners program, Unaffordable on July 14th revealed the entrenched and ugly side of our State Government political decision making. In particular, it showed the arrogance of Paul Scully, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. His ability to sidestep questions asked by the journalist, and his denial of a failing affordable housing development scheme was farcical to watch.
In our small area of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay 95% of over 15,000 residents live in apartment buildings, in the main these are studios and one-bedrooms. It is an area 250 years in the making and celebrated for its architectural significance, diversity, community, and historical and cultural richness. Yet it is granted no form of protection from the fast-track State Planning Development pathways.
The Premier Chris Minns & the State Government planning nexus has silenced Sydney City Council, whilst the National Trust and widespread community protests are ignored. No greater example was delivered by Alex Greenwich, MP for Sydney in the ABC Four Corners program as he told the cruel story of evictions and distress at The Chimes building in Macleay Street Potts Point.
Here, the developers Time & Place, financed by James Packer working through the lobbying firm, Iemma Patterson Premier Advisory (IPPA) run by NSW, former Premier Morris Iemma are in the process of destroying 80 studios and one-bedroom apartments and replacing them with luxury apartments and a few “fake” affordable apartments. This later is included only to grant the developers access to generous entitlements from the State government of extra building heights and further enticements that significantly increases their profit margins.
Alex Greenwich MP, by bringing attention to this specific site was also telling the story of similar government fast tracked developments throughout this area that are causing significant emotional stress and financial upheaval both to apartment owners and renters alike. He illustrated that the “ real” affordable housing, the homes of over 15,000 residents in this community are demonstrably under threat by these questionable fast track development pathways available to “handpicked” developers by a complicit Minns government.
Our Goals
We are committed to protecting the unique heritage, architecture, and community of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, and Rushcutters Bay. Through advocacy and action, we aim to preserve the character of our neighbourhood for generations to come.
01
A Voice for the Residents
The Potts Point Preservation Group aims to be a cohesive, balanced and effective voice for all those who live and work in Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Kings Cross. We are all locals and have no political bias or agenda. We are not against progress or change, but it should be appropriate and support the special attributes of the community.
02
New Urban Plan – Creating a Heritage Precinct
The PPPG wants greater recognition of a consolidated Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay & Rushcutters Bay precinct as a special living and historical community requiring specific protection and preservation. PPPG want to work with City Council in the preparation of a new urban plan for Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay that identifies and endorses its collective distinctive architectural heritage, historical features, social significance and contemporary amenities. This plan will guide and support appropriate development, density and activities in the precinct.
03
Maintain Housing Stock, Affordability and Diversity
Current redevelopments in the area are resulting in major loss of housing stock with attendant elimination of affordable accommodation. The loss of long-term, less-affluent residents is impacting on the diversity of the neighbourhood which is one of its most attractive and enduring features. All this is at complete odds with State Government policy to increase affordable housing in Sydney. We want to maintain housing stock, preserve affordable housing (particularly studios and one-bedroom apartments) and retain the broad diversity of our residents.
04
Raise profile of the area as a tourist destination
The goal is to maintain the innate beauty and liveability of the precinct and to foster an understanding and appreciation of its unique attributes. With its harbour setting close to the CBD, it has an exciting, bustling and eclectic vibe with the residential and commercial elements closely intertwined. The small footprint (1 sq. km) makes it the perfect place to walk and explore the tree-lined streets and family and pet-friendly parks. Everywhere one is surrounded by examples of Sydney’s architectural and social history from colonial times to mid-20th century and at the same time choose from a smorgasbord of the best restaurants and coffee shops in Sydney. The area is a harmonious home to the widest range of residents from wealthy to the less affluent and proud of its broad diversity. We want to raise the profile of the area so that it can be seen as a landmark heritage and socially significant locality and promoted as an important destination for Sydneysiders and tourists.
05
Heritage protection for our significant 20th century architecture
The PPPG will advocate for proper heritage protection for 20th century architecture, particularly Art Deco and Modernist apartment blocks in the Potts Point / Elizabeth Bay Area.
06
Foster high-rise redevelopment of Kings Cross
The Challenges We Face and Why Your Voice Matters
Loss of Affordable Housing: The lack of protection for 20th century building is contributing to unnecessary redevelopment in the area, with the almost complete loss of purchase or rental of affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments.
News
Latest News
How a Sydney developer bypassed council to gain approval for 250 homes
Eastern suburbs developer Arash Tavakoli has for the past four years been hatching plans for one of his Landmark Group’s most prominent projects yet: demolition of 106 low-rent apartments in Edgecliff to make way for a 25-storey tower overlooking Trumper Park.
More homes across our city
An excellent step taken by SCC. In her latest newsletter Mayor Clover Moore addresses the need for affordable housing to be in perpetuity and capped at 30% of income. She mentions the unaffordable level of 20% less than market value as used by developers and sanctioned by State government (the disgusting fast track method).
Stop the destruction of affordable housing
Re: The affordable housing petition sponsored by Alex Greenwich MP and supported by PPPG The following ad has appeared in the latest issue of Eastern Suburbs...
The ‘affordable’ housing policies that subsidised a rental unit listed for $925 a week
Australia’s multibillion-dollar investment in social and affordable housing is helping to pay for thousands of relatively high-priced new apartments that...
Alex Greenwich MP to Minister Paul Scully re The Chimes
29 April 2026 The Hon. Paul Scully, MP Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Sent via:...