Proposed Changes to Housing - call for submissions
New Development Controls
The NSW Government is preparing to implement one of the most far-reaching policies on new housing in decades.
The proposed policy will mean significant changes to development in the Lane Cove Local Government Area - and residents have until 23 February to give feedback to the NSW Government.
Appropriate development is very important. Urban Sprawl is expensive and unsustainable. However, there are concerns that this is a sledgehammer approach, with a ‘one size fits all’ mentality and belief that the NSW government-imposed zonings and relaxation of controls significantly weaken local democratic input over the built form and character of large areas of most LGAs. The changes could result in serious and extensive damage to the environment, loss of Tree Canopy, loss of heritage, and overload infrastructure and local services.
There is also concern that the changes will not necessarily address the crisis in inadequate supply of genuinely and permanently affordable housing.
Many were hoping that affordable housing componants would be in pertetuity, however developers will only have to ensure the properties remain ‘affordable’ and managed by a registered community housing provider for a minimum of 15 years.
More info about the changes on Lane Cove Council website here.
Lodge your submission here.
Community Information Session
To help keep our community informed, Council is hosting a Community Information Session with details about how the NSW Government’s proposed changes will impact Lane Cove.
This is a hybrid event with bookings required for those who wish to attend in person.
Tuesday 20 February, 6:30pm
Lane Cove Council Chambers
Attend in-person (limited seating) or watch online
A recording will also be made available on Council’s website the following day.
Proposed Changes
There are two significant reforms:
1. A new Transport Orientated Development (TOD) Program with two parts.
Part 1. Land within 1,200 metres of 8 designated railway and metro stations will be rezoned by NSW State Government.
Part 2. From April 2024, a new TOD State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) will amend planning controls around 31 further rail stations.
The changes will allow residential flat buildings in all residential zones within 400 metres of the identified stations as well as residential flat buildings and shop-top housing in local and commercial centres (E1 and E2). These plans were not put on public exhibition. Only affected Councils have been briefed.
For more information click here.
2. Low and Mid-rise housing
In late December 2023 the NSW Government released proposed changes intended to increase the capacity for low and mid-rise housing near existing services and infrastructure.
The changes in permissible building types, heights and controls apply to zones within 800 metres ‘walkable’ distance from a ‘station or town precinct’ in the ‘Six Cities Region’. The low and mid-rise housing (2-6 storeys) and increased dual occupancy opportunities, will override all Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs) and heritage conservation areas.
In addition, dual occupancy on lots of more than 450 sqm will be allowed across NSW.
To facilitate development, the Government proposes to set non-refusal standards that override Councils’ planning controls unless their LEP or DCP are even more permissive.
More info on low-mid rise types of housing here.
The existing In-fill Affordable Housing bonus provisions of the Housing SEPP (introduced in 2023) will continue to apply for development within the zones covered by the proposed low- and mid-rise housing provisions. This enables 10-15% of gross floor area (GFA) as affordable housing to receive a bonus of 20-30% on both height and FSR for residential flat buildings and shop top housing.
Developers will only have to ensure the properties remain ‘affordable’ and managed by a registered community housing provider for a minimum of 15 years.
NSW Government’s Explanation of Intended Effect: Changes to create low and mid-rise housing, December 2023 - Read it HERE (Note: APPENDIX A gives a summary of changes).
Lodge your submission HERE:
Just scroll down to the bottom of the above link, and be sure to state whether you support, object or are just making comments.
