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2021 gets moving!
At Urban Taskforce, we seek to explore trends and changes associated with the property development and construction sector.
ULN compares and contrasts the experience of the industry across Australia. It examines urban development with a close eye on reducing red tape and costs while supporting quality and amenity.
ULN is essential reading for all those involved in urban living including politicians, councils, planners, architects, developers, financiers, legal firms, real estate agents, strata bodies.
Tom Forrest
CEO - Urban Taskforce Australia
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You know there’s a problem when an issue becomes part of popular culture – Housing Affordability is a problem!!!
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Image: https://www.instagram.com/chaserwar/
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Housing Affordability is a problem. Even The Chaser and their followers are latching onto this, with the post being liked by almost 2 thousand people in less than half a day.
The desperate undersupply of housing is ruining Australia.This manifest problem, that has now officially entered the realm of popular culture, will continue to be ‘called out’ by the Urban Taskforce.
Maintaining the pressure on all those working within the planning system is important. Increasing the speed and efficacy of planning approvals for housing is crucial. More approvals will increase housing supply and this will decrease housing prices.
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Minister Stokes SAVES Parramatta
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ULN readers can rest assured that no beach photos exist of Urban Taskforce CEO.
Image reference: with thanks to the Daily Telegraph
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The NSW Minister for Planning and his Department (DPIE) has today rejected the recommendations of the Greater Sydney Commission which had proposed to limit the development of Camellia to industrial and employment uses for the next 20 years.
The Government’s response to the Parrmatta Place-based Infrastructure Compact (PIC) shows the Minister has listened to the unanimous pleas of Parramatta Council, industry representatives, the Rosehill Racecourse and the University of NSW, and has determined that the Greater Sydney Commission’s plan be only an “input” into DPIEs Strategic Plan for the precinct.
The decision will mean that alternative development scenarios will be examined which include proper remediation, mixed-use development including high rise residential uses and significant employment opportunities.
The Parramatta Light Rail already runs through the Camellia site. Today’s announcement makes clear that this Government investment should be utilised to support new homes for the growing population of Western Sydney.
To read the NSW Government’s response to the pilot Place-based Infrastructure Compact (PIC) for Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsula click here.
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Commonwealth Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry into Australia's skilled migration program
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Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 100,000 migrants entered Australia under the skilled migration program each year. These migrants play an important role in filling gaps in the Australian workforce and will continue to do so in the future. In recognition of this, the Federal Government has announced an inquiry into Australia’s skilled migration program as “an important opportunity to examine the broad settings behind the program”.
Migration doesn’t just play an important role; it plays a critical role in the performance of the Australian economy. Migration increases employment, increases consumption of goods and services, and migrants (by generally being younger than the baby boomers) tend to be less of a burden on government services while still paying taxes.
Migration ticks all the boxes against the three Ps of economic growth – participation, population and productivity. Migration improves population growth and increases productivity through labour participation and employment, particularly with skilled workers bringing highly desirable and much-needed skills to the workforce and it increases productivity.
We know our birth rate is declining and our population is aging. Without a return to pre COVID-19 migration levels, the Australian population would actually decrease, leading us to a fiscal cliff where there will be insufficient tax revenue to cover the costs of our aging population.
The Urban Taskforce will be making a submission to the Inquiry on the benefits of, and the need for, a short-medium term plan for a return to the pre-COVID-19 levels of migration. In support of our submission Urban Taskforce will be seeking member feedback on the more specific aspects of the Inquiry including the efficacy of Australia’s skilled migration program.
For more information on the Inquiry into Australia’s skilled migration program, including the Terms of Reference click here.
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Update to Employment Land Reforms
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There are two reviews into employment lands – doing different things. One is progressing well, but we need work to start ASAP on the second.
Review 1: - DPIE’s Review of Employment land zoning and
DPIE’s review is looking at rationalising the number of employment zones. (Currently in NSW there are 13 employment lands zones, where-as in Victoria there are 3.)
DPIE’s work has included a jurisdictional review and engagement with industry, including the Urban Taskforce. A draft for public comment is nearing completion.
Review 2: - GSC’s review of the Protection of Industrial land.
This piece of work has come about as a result of the NSW Productivity Commission Green Paper Recommendation “Rationalise zones and restrictions on permissible business activities and produce strategies to use commercial and industrial land more productively (Recommendations 7.3-7.5).”
This Review has not commenced ... yet. GSC has advised the Urban Taskforce that they will look at this in the context of their “brought forward” statutory review of the Greater Sydney Regional Plan and the District Plans. The statutory review has been "prioritised" to take into consideration the impact of COVID-19 and the need for changes to the Regional Plan. Unfortunately the statutory review will take time.
Not only did the Productivity Commission Green Paper call for the review, it was also included in the NSW State Budget papers as a new focus on “optimising industrial land use”.
GSC has now appointed its new CEO and its time to dust off the COVID-19 cessation and get back to work.
For the first time since the GSC’s District Plans inexplicably killed-off the use of dis-used and dilapidated old factories for anything other than industrial uses, the NSW Budget now commits to review this failed policy to create greater flexibility and secure greater economic value and employment. The Urban Taskforce is not advocating for a “free for all’ on all industrial land currently identified as “retain and manage” under strategic plans. What we are suggesting is the capacity for well-located, under-utilised sites to be looked at on a case by case basis. This should happen as a priority and not wait for the for the completion of the reviews into the Regional and District Plans.
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Urban Taskforce Industry Lunch - A Stronger Industry - New Ways to Flourish
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Come and hear from leaders in the development on their ideas to grow the industry and back our number one resource - our people.
Buy a table for you and your team and join the Urban Taskforce in celebrating International Women's Day.
For more information and to book your tickets click here.
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Credit where credit is due – DPIE works with Georges River Council for a second LEP with more housing
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Image: Narwee proposed upzoning (Georges River Council, draft LEP 21 land zoning map)
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Credit where credit is due.
Urban Taskforce doesn’t often applaud Councils or Brett Whitworth’s Greater Sydney Place & Infrastructure team, but on this occasion bouquets to both…
Georges River Council is exhibiting a second planning proposal as part of their LEP Review Program and it includes an additional precinct for uplift.
Council’s earlier LEP - Georges River LEP 2020 (now with DPIE for plan-making) - included changes to increase housing capacity in the LGA. However, following public exhibition and some late amendments by the Local Planning Panel, LEP 2020 fell short on the required 6-10 year housing target. The Panel changed the proposal as prepared by the Council officers - calling into question the role and capacity of planning panels and this one in particular.
Congratulations to DPIE and these Council officers in driving the delivery of two planning proposals, that when combined, will meet the LGA’s 6-10 year housing target and Council’s obligations under the State Government’s LEP Review Program.
The second planning proposal, LEP 21, includes the upzoning of land in the Narwee centre from low density residential to a mix of medium and high density residential.
Additional to the proposed upzoning of Narwee, the exhibited planning proposal also includes:
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Introducing planning controls for manor houses and multi-dwelling housing (terraces) in the medium density and high density residential zones across the LGA, and
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Changing the planning controls in Hurstville – Hillcrest Avenue housing investigation area to enable residential flat building developments of four storeys
Submissions can be made on the exhibited planning proposal until 17th February 2021.
The planning proposal and other exhibition documents can be viewed here.
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Submit your entries for the 2021 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards
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It’s official - industry can now to submit entries showcasing their exceptional development outcomes in the 2021 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards.
The Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards acknowledge developments that achieve the best outcomes for all stakeholders in terms of client requirements, environment, business and community considerations; as well as time, cost and quality. The Awards reflect the positive impact that urban development has on our community and lifestyle.
Enter before 11 June 2021 for your project to be recognised.
For full details of the awards including the entry book, form and event details click here.
For further information on the awards, please contact: Nicola Baume, Manager – Events and Membership.
To revisit the successes of the 2020 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards click here.
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Early engagement on the review of the Burwood LEP
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Image: Burwood Town Centre (Burwood Council, courtesy of Architects CHROFI)
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Following on from their LSPS and as part of their review of their LEP, Burwood Council is undertaking early engagement on two precincts on the edge of the Burwood town centre:
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Livingstone Street and Sym Avenue precinct, and
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Clarence and Church Street precinct
The engagement will inform “detailed investigation…to test potential density, land use and design outcomes before considering other areas in the LGA as part of the comprehensive LEP amendment.”
The early engagement on the precincts concludes 12th February 2021.
To complete the survey or to book an online discussion with one of Burwood Council’s planners click here.
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Emerging leader in development – introducing Multiplex’s Kylie Judd
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Kylie Judd is an Assistant Project Manager at Multiplex. Kylie has over nine years of experience in a number of roles in construction including site engineer, design engineer and quantity surveyor.
Her career has already seen her work on a range of complex projects across Australia and overseas.
Currently, Kylie is working on 'One The Esplanade', a 29-storey commercial office tower in the heart of Perth at Elizabeth Quay. As Assistant Project Manager, she is leading the fitout of the tower which is integrated into the base build, collaborating with the client (and another Urban Taskforce member) Brookfield to ensure smooth and accurate delivery.
“One of the things I love most about my career path is how tangible the results are. I can look across the skyline and literally see the outcomes of all the hard work that goes into each project and how each decision has transpired into an enduring product in the built form,” she said.
Kylie’s efforts in the early stages of her career saw her awarded the National association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) WA Young Achiever Award in 2014, as well as Multiplex’s John Roberts Development Scholarship and Elizabeth Grice Memorial Graduate of the Year. Kylie was later awarded the NAWIC Victoria Emerging Leader Award, in recognition of her work overseas and domestically.
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Housekeeping Amendment to Codes SEPP
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DPIE has made a housekeeping amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP).
The changes apply mainly to complying development for commercial and industrial buildings, clarifying a number of provisions and generally broaden the scope of minor works that can be undertaken under the SEPP.
The full list of amendments to the Codes SEPP can be accessed here.
Any questions on the amendments can be directed to DPIE’s Codes Team.
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The Mill
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Zoom conference the modern day rumour mill … especially when private chats are accidentally sent to all
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Rumour 1 – Re-shuffle on the horizon?
The rumour mill has been in overdrive on Macquarie St for the last few weeks… the word is to keep your eye out for a State Cabinet re-shuffle soon.
Rumour 2 – Australian Developer and well-known UK pop star linked
Which well-known, award winning developer and Urban Taskforce member has been linked with UK songstress Rita Ora?
Meriton!!!! Rita Ora is reportedly spending the next two weeks luxury, five-star Meriton Suites Pitt Street hotel as she isolates in Australia.
The singer is in Australia to film The Voice.
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Member News
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Stockland submits a DA for the Hassell designed, 64,000sqm office building at 110-122 Walker Street in North Sydney … read more …
Architecture and Design, February 1
Ten developers to watch in NSW for 2021 include Meriton, Deicorp, Crown Group and Greenland Australia … read more …
Urban.com.au, January 27
Architectus included in World Architecture Top 100 list … read more …
Architecture & Design, February 1
Urban profiles NSW luxury apartments that are affordable including Meriton’s Riva and DKO Architecture designed Collection … read more …
Urban.com.au, February 1
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