Our Vision
Our Vision for a Stronger Community
Potts Point & Surrounds
A Living Tapestry of Sydney’s Urban Heritage
The precinct of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay is unique in Australia—rich in architectural heritage, layered cultural history, and a diverse, inclusive community. This harbourside village exemplifies low-rise, high-density living, with 98% of its 18,000 residents in apartments and no super high-rises. It showcases Sydney’s full architectural timeline, from 19th-century terraces to over 100 Art Deco and Modernist buildings. But this heritage is at risk. New developments often reduce housing diversity, threatening 20th-century buildings, displacing long-term residents, and undermining the area’s character and social balance
To preserve and protect this unique neighbourhood, we recognise the need for:
- Stronger heritage controls to protect 20th-century buildings, especially Art Deco and Modernist.
- Keep a mix of housing, including studios and one-bedrooms, to ensure affordability and access.
- New development must respect local scale and character, and not reduce existing homes.
- Honour the area’s historic and social value within Sydney’s changing urban identity.
- Encourage a lively mix of shops, cafés, and cultural venues in the precinct.
- Protect the tree-lined streets and walkable layout that make the area liveable and green.
- Plan with a focus on community wellbeing, inclusion, and environmental resilience.
Projects
A Social and Heritage Place Strategy
Our Goals
Our Vision for Potts Point’s Future
To protect the heritage, diversity, and liveability of Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay—preserving its unique character while supporting a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.
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 PPG 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
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. We would like to assist State, City Council and property owners in effecting the regeneration of Kings Cross.