23 September 2014
The new planning guidelines for apartment design in NSW are important support for the growing trend towards apartment living in Sydney, says the Urban Taskforce.
“The Urban Taskforce has been involved in the development of these guidelines for apartment living and we believe they are an important benchmark for the industry and the community,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “The main change from an industry perspective is to change the previous Residential Flat Design Code to the Apartment Design Guide. A guide gives much more flexibility in the interpretation of key design issues that supports innovation while achieving the outcomes.”
“The proposal to reduce car parking requirements for apartments within 400 metres of a rail station is an acknowledgement of the preference of many apartment dwellers to use public transport. The minimum requirements still allow more parking if the market supports this.”
“The previous design code had been over ridden by some councils wanting to set their own standards. The new amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy makes it clear that council development control plans cannot be inconsistent with the Apartment Design Guide. This applies specifically to balconies, solar access and a range of other criteria. The planning policy specifically identifies standards that cannot be used as grounds to refuse development consent including ceiling height, apartment areas and car parking provisions.”
“It is important that the state government sets these standards rather than allowing each individual council to have separate controls.”
“We are keen to look in more detail at the issue of above ground car parking due to the excessive cost of below ground parking. The government may need to review the impact on floor space ratio requirements in this area.”
“The Urban Taskforce is supportive of the overall thrust of the new guidelines for apartment design and is keen to work with the Department of Planning and Environment on refining the details of the document.”
