New housing codes welcomed
Long anticipated new codes aimed at facilitating a faster, more diverse supply of new housing were released by the NSW Government this month;
- Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code (the Missing Middle) released 6 April
- Greenfield Housing Code released 11 April
The Property Council has long championed a greater use of complying development in NSW to reduce approval times, provide quality housing and improve certainty for communities. Codes are used widely and successfully in Queensland and Victoria, with the Property Council pointing to these jurisdictions as evidence that more can be done in NSW.
The new Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code will allow one and two storey dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces to be carried out under a fast track complying development approval. It is supported by the Medium Density Design Guide to ensure good design outcomes are achieved for medium density housing. The Code applies where medium density development is already permitted under a council’s local environmental plan.
The new Greenfield Housing Code is aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes in greenfield areas (new release areas) across NSW, allowing 1-2 storey homes, alterations and additions to be carried out under the complying development approval pathway, saving time and money. To be included in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (State Policy) the new Code:
- simplifies the standards in the State Policy for greenfield areas:
- presenting the Code in plain English and including tables and diagrams to explain the planning rules (similar to the Housing Code);
- reducing and simplifying development standards; and
- simplifying and aligning certain standards so they match the standards under the Growth Centres DCPs.
- tailors development standards to suit market demand, housing types and lot sizes typically delivered in greenfield areas.
The new Greenfield Housing Code also requires a tree to be planted in the front and rear yard of each new home approved under complying development to ensure new release areas are leafier and more sustainable.
There is now also the opportunity to contribute to the development of both a commercial property code and an industrial property code through the Department of Planning, for more information contact [email protected]