Medium density put on hold

The NSW government has suspended the supply of housing and stopped the introduction of the Medium Density Housing Code (“Missing Middle Code”) in Ryde and Canterbury-Bankstown.

Further Councils have also come forward and requested a 12-month deferment of the medium density housing code  

The measures will not affect planning proposals already lodged. 

At this stage we believe that the suspension of the Missing Middle Code will be in place in approved areas until 2020.

The decision follows advice from the Greater Sydney Commission to the Government on where development is putting pressure on local infrastructure.

The Property Council has publicly voiced its strong objections to these decisions and highlighted the potential impact on house prices and jobs. 

The Medium Density Housing Code (“Missing Middle” Code) was only released in the past few weeks.  The suspension of its application in two key parts of the city, where it could have made an appreciable difference to housing supply, is a terrible outcome.   

The decision is at odds with the Government’s stated top priority of improving housing affordability through increased housing supply and puts meeting the housing targets outlined in the Greater Sydney Commission’s plans at risk.

In the Ryde and Canterbury-Bankstown LGAs the property industry is a major driver of economic activity and jobs.

The Property Council has written to Planning Minister Roberts and requested an urgent meeting. We will keep members up to date as further information is received.