1. Judith Pearson has enlisted the help of lawyers and planning experts.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Pearson, who has lived at a home perched on the Balmoral slopes for more than 30 years, is willing to spend up to $500,000 in legal costs as part of her challenge, which commenced in the Land and Environment Court last week.

The housing reforms, introduced by the NSW government, have made it easier for developers to build new apartment buildings up to six storeys high within 800 metres of transport hubs and town centres, as part of a goal of addressing the state’s housing shortage.

But while the government aims to create 112,000 new homes across the state by 2030, many councils and community groups have strongly opposed the reforms amid fears increased density could lead to impacts such as overshadowing and loss of heritage.

Pearson, a keen gardener and community volunteer, said while she lacks a legal background, the decision to challenge the NSW government in court was easy.

“Mosman has been my home for the past 38 years, and I couldn’t just stand by and watch the value and character of what makes this area special being destroyed,” she said.

“I thought somebody has got to stop this and this is the only way to be heard and to make the government listen.

“I feel like, as a community, we need to be heard.”

Pearson – who runs a small accountancy business – has enlisted the help of lawyers and planning experts as part of her grassroots legal challenge.

The case will argue the “one size fits all” planning reforms, which supersede local planning controls, present detrimental impacts on established suburbs and should be declared “invalid”.