29 November 2013
With the NSW Planning Bill now on hold, an interim strategy is needed to keep the state’s housing supply increasing to match demand, says the Urban Taskforce.
“The frustration that all in the development and planning industry currently feel over the delay and possible shelving of the proposed Planning Bill must not let industry confidence collapse,” says Chris Johnson CEO, of the Urban Taskforce. “An interim strategy is now needed to support approvals for new housing while the Government considers a new version of planning reform possibly after the next election in 2015.”
The Urban Taskforce has produced a strategy with 7 actions that can keep the growing confidence in new housing supply continuing. These actions can be achieved within the current planning framework. The actions are as follows:
- INTERIM STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING POLICY: This policy should be applied to areas within walking distances of railway stations, town centres and growth corridors to stimulate the provision of housing and employment opportunities.
- DECLARATION OF URBAN ACTIVATION PRECINCTS: The Interim State Environmental Planning Policy should declare Urban Activation Precincts (UAPs) for all areas within 800 metres of railway stations, town centres, along growth corridors and on key urban renewal sites.
- BUILDING STIMULUS TASKFORCE: Establish a special taskforce using UrbanGrowth NSW and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to work with councils and communities to deliver precinct plans.
- SITE NOMINATION: Call for expressions of interest for the nomination of developable sites from the private sector to establish priority areas for UAPs.
- PRECINCT PLANNING: Prepare precinct plans for priority sites with community involvement.
- COMPLYING CODE: Develop precinct codes with the community that define building form. This will allow quicker approvals for complying proposals.
- DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION LODGED: Lodge with the local council where there is an approved precinct plan. Lodge with the Department of Planning if there is no approved precinct plan and go through a Gateway process and full exhibition.
Recent demographic projections show Sydney losing its number one crown to Melbourne as people leave Sydney due to the high cost of housing. With a current shortfall in housing production of over 10,000 houses a year, we need a pro-growth approach to planning so that future generations have somewhere to live. The Urban Taskforce interim strategy with its 7 actions is one way to get Sydney’s housing production matching demand and maintaining Sydney as Australia’s most important city.
To see the full interim strategy by the Urban Taskforce click on link below:
https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/images/stories/UTF-NSWNo.1-FINAL.pdf
