NSW Government commitment to Parramatta North will create vibrant precinct
01 May 2017 The announcement by the NSW Government that $310 million will be allocated to the urban renewal of the Parramatta North precinct will create a new vibrant neighbourhood, says the Urban Taskforce. “The Parramatta North precinct is a unique opportunity to build on the important heritage of the site to create a […]
NSW Government should consider ‘shared service model’ if Sydney council mergers are to be rethought
02 February 2017 The NSW Government should consider a shared service model as an alternative to amalgamations of councils in the Sydney Metropolitan Area if there is to be a rethink of the mergers, says the Urban Taskforce. “The State Government has expended considerable time and money on a thorough and comprehensive review of local […]
Reopening Parramatta Gaol will stop the renewal of North Parramatta
11 March 2016 Proposals by the NSW Government to reopen Parramatta Gaol will stop the exciting urban renewal proposals for North Parramatta, says the Urban Taskforce. “The NSW Government seems to now have two contradictory approaches for the renewal of North Parramatta,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “On one hand UrbanGrowth NSW proposes […]
Social housing renewal proposals important for housing diversity
23 October 2015 The Communities Plus program by the NSW Government to renew and diversify a number of social housing estates is a good move, says the Urban Taskforce. “Many of the NSW Government’s social housing estates are quite old and in need of renewal,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “The approach of increasing […]
NSW Planning Minister has opportunity to set the Framework for the State’s Future
01 April 2015 The new Planning Minister in NSW, Rob Stokes, has a great opportunity to restructure the planning system to ensure the state’s future, says the Urban Taskforce. “The Urban Taskforce congratulates Rob Stokes on becoming the NSW Planning Minister and we look forward to a fruitful relationship,” says the Urban Taskforce CEO, […]
Apartment value is higher in areas of Greater Density says Urban Taskforce report
09 March 2015 A detailed research study into the average price of an apartment has found that prices are higher in areas of greater density, says the Urban Taskforce. “The recent mapping data on density issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) identifies the most dense housing areas of Sydney,” says Urban […]
Release of more home sites will help housing supply
09 March 2015 The announcement by the NSW Government that 20,000 new home sites will be released over the next 4 years is good news for housing supply, says the Urban Taskforce. “A diversity of housing types is essential to help with housing supply in NSW and the government’s announcement that 20,000 new home […]
Drop in NSW building approvals demonstrates Planning Reform still needed
03 July 2014 The monthly building approval data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows NSW’s approvals dropping, says the Urban Taskforce. “The May approval figures from the ABS indicate a fall in housing approvals particularly in the high density sector,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “Recent approvals have been strong in NSW […]
Asset recycling and infrastructure expenditure sets the building blocks of the future prosperity of NSW
17 June 2014 The NSW budget gives confidence that a strategy is in place to develop much needed infrastructure through asset sales so that future growth is supported, says the Urban Taskforce. “After 3 years in power in NSW, the government has managed debt and put in place a sustainable financial structure,” says Urban […]
Adapting to sea level rise
24 August 2010 The NSW Government has now finalised and published the NSW Coastal Planning Guideline: Adapting to Sea Level Rise. This document has a number of flaws. In our original submission responding to the exhibition draft we raised serious concerns with the underlying philosophy of this document. Many of the points we raised have not […]
Local matters
01 September 2010 The Barangaroo Delivery Authority has publicly released its Project Development Agreement with Lend Lease. Details are here. An amendment to the Cessnock LEP is on exhibition until 3 September 2010. The land the subject of this amendment is known as the Kitchener Urban Release Area adjoining the existing village of Kitchener. The amendments […]
In brief
01 September 2010 Yet another SEPP is coming. A discussion paper for a World Heritage SEPP is on exhibition. The NSW Government is proposing a state environmental planning policy (SEPP) that will recognise these sites and their world heritage significance in the planning system. The proposed SEPP will require the world heritage values be considered […]