Image: NSW Premier Chris Minns. Image: Facebook
Amidst rising concerns about housing affordability in NSW, Urban Taskforce Australia recently released a 10-point scheme for planning reform and housing supply.
In May this year, the ‘State of the Housing System Report 2024, Sydney’ revealed that prices and rents are growing faster than wages, with 170,000 households on public housing waiting lists and a further 122,000 people experiencing homelessness. Essentially, Australia is experiencing an increased demand for housing, with a supply that cannot accommodate.
Pressures are rising to relieve the strain on the housing market, with the upcoming Federal Election taking the spotlight in the next three months. As a result, a shift in focus will impact the Housing Accord Target which needs to be the focal point of current government concerns.
“The time for a shift in planning and housing policy is now,” according to Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Tom Forrest. “There are three months between now and the end of 2024, then all focus will shift to the Federal election, and it will be too late to make changes to planning that will help with the Housing Accord Targets.”
Although the NSW Government is unable to rectify all cost pressures, UTA opines they can prioritize planning as a policy area that remains under control.
A Call To Action
Under the Planning Minister through SEPP, planning controls such as building heights, densities, set back from the street, separation between buildings, and the need for bike lanes or protection of view corridors can be improved, according to UTA.
Current planning within metro station areas such as Parramatta Road has remained too conservative for the demand for housing and affordability, says UTA.
Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Tom Forrest has previously expressed his disappointment in the past year regarding Parramatta Road. “Parramatta road looks rubbish, it’s time we did something about it” he said.
With local council elections concluded, the Minns Government has a three-month head start in 2024 to put their efforts into planning reforms that enhance feasibility, reduce financing risks, and boost investor confidence, the UTA report says.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns earlier this year announced an investment of $450 million into building new apartments and accommodation for essential workers, recognising the housing crisis in NSW in June.
Furthermore, inconsistent planning around metro stations in areas across the Metro line and trains between Central and Bankstown has undermined development potential.
To meet the needs of the housing crisis in NSW, it is important to improve the housing supply pipeline at this stage to meet the National Housing Accord Targets, Forrest says.
UTA’s 10-Point Plan
- Designate all existing, new, and planned metro stations as “Tier 1” TOD Accelerated Precincts.
- Declare specific heavy rail stations as Tier 1 TOD Precincts: Ashfield, Bondi Junction, Campbeltown, Central, Chatswood, Edgecliff, Granville, Hurstville, Lidcombe, Liverpool, Miranda, Newtown, North Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith, Redfern, Strathfield, Sutherland, and West Ryde.
- Designate the Parramatta Road corridor (600 metres on either side) as a Tier 1 Precinct and create a Parramatta Road Development Authority.
- Shift DPHI’s planning to define growth areas and seek EOIs for feasible heights and densities, assessing on merit and including affordable housing.
- Expand Low and Mid-rise Housing reforms to an 800-metre radius around town centres with a floor space ratio of 3:1.
- Finalize Medium-density housing reforms for all non-TOD heavy rail and bus/light rail stops.
- Mandate Residential Apartment Buildings in Low and Mid-rise areas.
- Offer a 20%-30% height and floor space bonus for 10%-15% affordable housing at a 25% rent discount for 15 years.
- Limit affordable housing contributions in TOD precincts to 15 years.
- Waive Housing and Productivity Contributions for residential projects with Development Applications submitted before June 2029.
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