An artist's impression of the proposed redevelopment of the Wilberforce Avenue car park in Rose Bay, which would include about 25 apartments. Credit:Brendan Metcalfe;christopher.bluett@woollahra.nsw.gov.au "The existing car parks are poorly laid out, visually unattractive and do not positively contribute to the image of the Rose Bay commercial centre," the proposal states. A council spokesman said more than 100 new car-parking spaces would be provided in addition to the existing 144 spaces. "While council agrees that concerns exist regarding congestion and parking in the area, through this proposal, council is addressing these issues to make the location more liveable for residents and beneficial for local businesses – doing nothing in the face of these issues is not a viable option," he said. Angst about development

Woollahra's deputy mayor Susan Wynne said the car park redevelopment would deliver the "economic viability" that Rose Bay shopping village needed to survive. "Instead of hanging a 'Rose Bay is full' sign, let's hang a sign stating 'Rose Bay welcomes all'": Woollahra's deputy mayor, Susan Wynne. Credit:Ben Rushton "What I do know is that doing nothing is not an option and the most thriving commercial centres occur when there is a good balance of residents living in the heart of the centre as well as quality community spaces and ample parking," she said. Cr Wynne acknowledged it was difficult to balance the needs of residents and businesses "and often there can be a lot of angst about development proposals". An artist's impression of the proposed redevelopment of the Ian Street car park in Rose Bay. Credit:Brendan Metcalfe;christopher.bluett@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

But she said: "Instead of hanging a 'Rose Bay is full' sign, let's hang a sign stating 'Rose Bay welcomes all.' " Mr Bland said the suburb needed more parking spaces, but the council could only "pay" for it by developing an apartment complex. "This will further exacerbate existing traffic and congestion problems," he said. "It could also come with a much-needed community centre [we don't have one], but again, jamming more people and activities into an already overcrowded area. And anyway is a car park the appropriate location for a community centre often used by children?" Mr Bland said pollution at Rose Bay Beach was another symptom of the inadequacy of infrastructure to cope with the increasing population. Gabrielle Upton, the Liberal member for Vaucluse and Minister for Local Government, did not answer the Herald's questions but said: "I am meeting with the Rose Bay Residents Association this week to hear their concerns. I am happy to take them up with Woollahra Council."

The redevelopment of the car parks was first mooted by the council in 1999 and is "long overdue", according to Woollahra councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis. "Parking is increasingly difficult in Rose Bay but the shopping area is increasingly pedestrian-friendly so the use of a car is not necessary for the many locals close by, unless disabled or carrying a heavy load," she said. Is Rose Bay full? Cr Jarvis said the population density of Rose Bay was lower than the rest of the Woollahra local government area: "Rose Bay is actually not full." But she said: "I agree it seems fuller with cars. Anecdotally I suspect that is because more people have their own car rather than share."

Rose Bay had an estimated 6415 residents in 2016, with a population density of 31.33 persons per hectare, according to the 2016 census. Neighbouring Bellevue Hill had an estimated 11,538 residents and a population density of 48.64, while Vaucluse-Watsons Bay had 7828 residents and a population density of 23.79. The Woollahra local government area had an estimated 58,290 residents in 2016, with a population density of 47.58 persons per hectare. "It is true that development is ongoing but things change," Cr Jarvis said. "For example, the modest cottage my father grew up in, in Carlisle Street in [the] 1930s, has been replaced by multistorey apartments built on top of an underground car park to take advantage of the harbour and Bondi Beach views." However, Cr Jarvis, the president of the NSW Liberal Women's Council, said the ability of councillors to prevent overdevelopment will be confined to establishing zoning and planning guidelines. "After March due to the government's changes to the laws, we will not be determining development applications," she said. The NSW government stripped councils in Sydney and Wollongong of the power to determine development applications worth more than $5 million under new rules mandating the use of planning panels.

"Council does not support, and has formally objected to, the loss of its planning powers being compulsorily handed to Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels," the council spokesman said. "Council considers that current arrangements provide for ethical and transparent decision making on development applications and it is not convinced that the new arrangements will improve planning decisions on development applications." Sydney's crowded suburbs Rose Bay is less crowded than Balmain, which had 11,396 residents, and a population density of 73.69 persons per hectare, according to the 2016 census. In comparison, Pyrmont has 13,812 residents, and a population density of 148.40, while Potts Point had 7083 residents, and a population density of 141.16.

But there is more room to move in other affluent parts of Sydney. Loading The Hunters Hill Municipality had 14,638 residents, and a population density of 25.65, while Sylvania Waters had 3158 residents and a population density of 23.84. Palm Beach-Whale Beach had 2080 residents, and a population density of just 6.36 persons per hectare.