NT Growth Policy Welcomed

NT Growth Policy WelcomedThe Property Council has welcomed the Northern Territory Government’s draft Compact Urban Growth Policy, along with offering a number of improvements to make the policy an effective plan to encourage higher density residential land uses in urban brownfield, greenfield, specific redevelopment precincts and renewal localities. According to the policy Compact Urban Growth localities should:occur around activity centres and public transport nodes, where dwelling and activity density may be at its highest;occur along transport corridors that are within 400 metres from an activity centre; and include a transition zone, where dwelling and activity density will become less intense, and will transition to lower densities generally matching the surrounding locality (generally occurs 400 metres away from the activity centre and public transport node).Areas outside of a 400 metre radius of an activity centre or a zone defined by an Area Plan will experience minimal change in residential density under this model. Density of dwellings and activities at individual activity centres and transport nodes should be in keeping with changes that are reasonably anticipated within a locality. Densities should be respectful of the scale and character of the surrounding locality.The policy also includes performance criteria when considering a Rezoning Application, an Exceptional Development Application, any relevant development application or draft Area Plan that proposes higher density residential land uses.In welcoming the draft policy the Property Council also identified some concerns and a number of opportunities for improvements to the draft policy. Strategic PlanningThe draft policy needs to identify each activity centre, and its ranking in the Activity Centres Hierarchy, as these are integral to the basic working of this policy. The ranking of a centre must not be assumed. Absence of Infrastructure Provision PlanThe draft policy needs to be underpinned by an infrastructure provision plan to deliver the desired policy outcomes, as well as inform the property development and investment sector where and when these infrastructure investments will be made. Specifically, a transport provision plan (public transport focused) is needed to demonstrate how the desired increased use of public transport will be met and a supporting service infrastructure provision plan is also necessary to underpin envisioned areas of growth. The Property Council is a strong supporter for balanced development outcomes, including infill development as well as opportunities to grow the urban form of cities in the NT. The will continue discussions about the draft policy with the NT Government, including more investigation about the practical application of the policy.To read a copy of the submission, click here.