The NSW planning system is dragging down the economic performance of the entire nation according to new figures released by the ABS on Wednesday.

While Victoria has been in lockdown, Victoria has seen their total dwellings approved grow by 1.8% in the month of August, with total approvals in the month being 5181. In stark contrast, NSW has been relatively free of COVID-19 restrictions, but the number of approvals actually fell by a massive 14.2% in the month of August to a total of only 3364 new dwelling approvals.

• Victoria - with Melbourne in Stage 4 lockdown - approved 5181 dwellings in August 2020
• NSW - approved 3364 dwellings in August 2020

Source: ABS, Building Approvals, Australia, Aug 2020

Over the past two years, the focus of planning in NSW has shifted with the lead being given to Councils and independent panels in driving strategic plans and DA approvals. The State Government has handed control over planning decisions to local Councils. In the context of COVID-19, this has proven to be a disaster.

Urban Taskforce calls on the NSW Productivity Commission to urgently complete its review of the NSW Planning System and also complete its review of Infrastructure Contributions framework. The changes recommended by the NSW Productivity Commission must be included in the NSW Budget Bills so industry can have certainty on the framework for taxes, levies and charges.

Read the ABS’ latest release of national building approvals here.

Read the Urban Taskforce media release in response to the latest figures here.

Yesterday, Urban Taskforce member and Holdmark CEO, Sarkis Nassif announced the donation of building materials and labour for the construction of a new improved building for the Warrah School at Dural. Work on the $950k building project at the school is expected to be complete by early April 2021.
 

Warrah Specialist School is an independent, co-educational school providing quality and individualised education for students with disabilities such as intellectual disability in the moderate to severe range, autism, and other complex disabilities. The school is part of the Warrah Society, a not for profit registered charity, whose services span supported accommodation and respite; social, educational and community support services; and specialist housing. Urban Taskforce continues to support the Warrah Society through the proceeds of our Property Person of the Year awards.
 

Holdmark’s generous donation adds to the considerable philanthropic contribution from the Nassif family through their John Paul Foundation. The Foundation has distributed funds and supported many Australian charities with a focus on family and children’s causes, local communities, disaster relief and vital medical equipment.
 

2020 has been a tough year for everyone, but has been especially tough for those organisations, such as Warrah Society, that rely on the generosity of others to fund the important work they do.
 

To make a donation to the Warrah Society email here.
Read more about the Warrah Society here.
Read the Holdmark media release here.
Read more about the John Paul Foundation here.

Yesterday, the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) launched a report identifying the impacts of the pandemic so far on Greater Sydney.
 

The high-level report analysed six months of available data and identified the following key focus areas “fundamental to our city’s recovery and resilience.” 

1. Community wellbeing is essential to resilience.
2. Rapid recalibration of jobs and productivity through training and skills and developing specialised precincts is critical to economic recovery.
3. Changes to where we work is revitalising some centres and may influence where we choose to live.
4. Changes to where and when we work and shop alters demand for transport services and freight logistics.
5. Digital technology is vital infrastructure and universal access is needed.
6. Investment in open, public and shared spaces connects communities and supports healthy lifestyles.
7. A metropolis of three connected cities supports local outcomes.
8. Collaboration and evidence are central to responsive and efficient government.
9. Scenario planning provides for adaptive management and agile responses.

According to the GSC, the report “will influence the refresh of the Greater Sydney Region Plan and other government initiatives to get the best outcomes for the metropolis of three cities.”
 

The GSC has also appointed a 10-member Youth Panel with members aged between 19 and 29, to ensure that young people are heard in planning Greater Sydney’s future.  Youth Panel members were selected based on their experience in youth engagement and/or strategic planning and appear to mirror the skillset of many GSC staff. The GSC has, so far, consulted and published Youth Panel member’s feedback on the issue of economy and employment.

The GSC seems to have shifted its focus - but appears to have left a massive void. The District Plans were developed in 2016 and now need focus and attention. Housing supply has plummeted in NSW. The LSPSs were widely panned and councils are flagrantly ignoring them. Holding councils to account for planned jobs and housing targets is very important. Before the GSC moves onto their new agenda it is critical to ensure someone is accountable for these important roles - particularly in the post COVID-19 recovery.
 

Read the GSC’s "City Shaping Impacts of COVID 19" report here.
Read more about the GSC’s Youth Panel here.

On Tuesday night Campbelltown Council quietly adopted their Local Housing Strategy. Campbelltown’s Housing Strategy broadly aligns with the 5-10 year housing targets set by the GSC by planning for an additional 4,700 to 8,200 dwellings to be delivered between 2021 and 2026.
 

It is a very different story on the northern side of the City. In case you missed it, Ku-ring-gai Council refused to adopt the draft Strategy reported to Council by their own planners. The planners’ Strategy set out the plan to deliver on the GSC's modest 6-10 year local housing targets of 3,000 to 3,600 additional dwellings.  Instead, Council resolved to limit new housing in Ku-ring-gai over the next 6-10 years to existing zoned capacity, equating to just 250 additional dwellings.
 

Minister Stokes warned he could appoint a planning administrator to Ku-ring-gai Council, and in Thursday’s Sydney Morning Herald accused the Council of "throwing their toys out of the cot" for attempting to abandon GSC housing targets.
 

NSW Opposition Labor MLC Adam Searle challenged Mr Stokes to hold his ground against the council saying other parts of Sydney had taken a lot of development and not received their fair share of infrastructure.
 

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest was quoted in the article: "Is the Minister for Planning going to allow a council on the north-west fringe of the city to effectively give the future development of Sydney and the target set by the Greater Sydney Commission the bird?"
 

Read Thursday’s Sydney Morning Herald article here.