Current Issues
NSW Government's housing density reforms
The NSW Government has announced a series of significant planning reforms to dramatically increase density of housing in NSW. These changes include a new Transport Orientated Development Program and changes to create low and mid rise housing. See below.
Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program
Under this program, the NSW Government will:
- Rezone land within 1,200 metres of 8 rail and metro stations to allow for more new and affordable homes.
-
Amend planning controls within 400m of 31 metro and rail stations from April 2024 by introducing a new TOD State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).
Councils have been frustrated by a lack of detail about the TOD Program. They were not involved in the selection of the 39 stations and question the criteria used for selection of precincts targeted for TOD.
Some of the key issues of concern to local government with the NSW Government’s approach:
- Absence of strategic vision - the Government has not released its promised housing targets and draft region and city plans
- No details about infrastructure provision
- Lack of supporting evidence
- Absence of genuine consultation with local government and community
- Shortcomings in the provision for affordable housing
- Added complexity and conflicting planning controls
The local government sector is urging the NSW Government to work constructively with councils to address these concerns.
LGNSW submission on the TOD Program
FURTHER INFORMATION
Changes to create more low and mid-rise housing
Proposed changes by the NSW Government will permit dual occupancies in all R2 low density residential zones across all of NSW as well as more apartments and medium density dwellings (terraces, townhouses and two-storey apartment blocks) near train and metro stations and town centres.
The planning changes have been prepared without genuine collaboration with local government. Their rushed introduction and one-size-fits-all approach undermines the local strategic planning work by councils to accommodate agreed housing targets and plan for orderly growth. Councils' plans are tailored to local areas, factor in how infrastructure will be provided and funded, and importantly, have already gained community endorsement. Councils want to work with the State to consider how they can amend and accelerate delivery of these locally developed plans to meet agreed housing targets.
LGNSW's submission on the low and mid-rise housing changes (which were on public exhibition from 15 December 2023 to 23 February 2024).
further information
Short and long-term rental accommodation - Discussion Paper
LGNSW has welcomed the NSW Government's review of its short-term rental accommodation policy and is preparing a submission to the Government's Discussion Paper.
Councils have long called for better tools to manage the impacts of short-term rental accommodation platforms on the availability of long-term rental housing. Local government must have the ability to respond flexibly in this area in order to balance housing and the local visitor economy.
The Government's Discussion Paper seeks feedback on:
- the adequacy of the current planning and regulatory framework for short-term rental accommodation in NSW;
- potential policy options, including revenue measures, to incentivise property investors to make properties available for long-term rental accommodation (LTRA).
FURTHER INFORMATION
BACK TO MAIN PAGE