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Urban Living Network (ULN) covers news about apartment developments, retail trends, job locations, density related to railway stations, urban projects on city fringes, strata and planning reforms. We aim to provide real data on trends, housing supply and demographic change. ULN is essential reading for all those involved in urban living including politicians, councils, planners, architects, developers, financiers, legal firms, real estate agents and strata bodies.
Tom Forrest
CEO - Urban Taskforce Australia
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Recession demands leadership to drive the economy: NIMBYs or Economic Growth, that is the question?
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Wednesday’s economic data is a wake-up call for the NSW Planning System. A 7% decline in GDP is not just an economic recession, it's a human disaster. Australian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell 7.0 per cent in the June quarter, the largest quarterly fall on record, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Yet the NSW planning system seems to be wantonly oblivious to the changed economic environment.
Minister Stokes has been speaking of Planning Reform since November last year – and we have seen some promising COVID-19 related short term improvements – but nothing substantial. It is time for something substantial.
It takes a strong leader to represent economic growth. It’s easy to represent NIMBYs. Now it is time to see if Rob Stokes and Dominic Perrottet are prepared to lead.
Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest has called on the Minister to make SEPPs to fast track the delivery of housing and investment in jobs, whilst commencing EP&A Act amendments to highlight jobs, employment and the creation of housing and workplaces as the primary public benefit objectives of the Planning System.
Read Tom Forrest’s full article as published in Sourceable here.
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Quick - reform planning before it's too late.
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Kiersten Fishburn and the Planning Delivery Unit kick goals
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Yes - the PDU is kicking goals
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Urban Taskforce congratulates DPIE’s Planning Delivery Unit (PDU) for its work to date, and progress in ‘unblocking’ applications in the planning system.
The PDU, established by DPIE Secretary Jim Betts in July this year as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 response, was tasked with resolving issues in major DAs, State Significant Developments (SSD), planning proposals and precincts so that decisions are made faster.
Urban Taskforce member, the Catholic Diocese of Maitland - Newcastle, has passed on their thanks to the PDU for getting the roads application component of their SSD application for the Catherine McAuleyCollege at Medowie (finally) over the line with TfNSW.
The efforts to date of Kiersten Fishburn and her team are noticeable and very much welcomed.
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Draft Rhodes Place Strategy on Public Exhibition
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The draft Rhodes Place Strategy outlines how the area of land to the east and west of Rhodes train station, between the rail line and Concord Road will provide opportunities for residential and other uses.
The draft place strategy sets out the height, density and design of buildings for each of the following character areas:
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Station Gateway West
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Station Gateway East
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Cavell Avenue
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Leeds Street
The draft place strategy builds on documents exhibited in 2018/2019 and 2017.
The draft Strategy is on exhibition until Friday 9 October 2020.
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Wollondilly Council releases a suite of draft Strategies to inform LEP Review
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Wollondilly Shire Council has exhibited a series of draft strategies focussed on managing land use in the Shire over the next 20 years.
The suite of documents on exhibition to inform their LEP review comprise:
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Draft Local Housing Strategy – to provide a clear plan for the provision of housing within Wollondilly over the next 20 years
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Draft Rural Lands Strategy - setting a framework for managing growth, change and development for rural land.
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Draft Employment Lands Strategy - to guide the future development of employment lands within Wollondilly.
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Draft Centres Strategy – setting the direction for managing Wollondilly’s unique towns and villages.
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Draft Urban Tree Canopy Plan & Landscape Strategy - to develop an urban tree canopy plan and landscape strategy to protect, maintain, and enhance a healthy and diverse urban tree canopy.
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Draft Scenic and Cultural Lands Strategy - setting a framework to manage Wollondilly’s landscapes that have scenic and cultural significance.
The draft documents can be viewed here.
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St Leonards Crows Nest 2036 Plan - Urban Taskforce calls for urgent review
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Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest has written to the NSW Premier calling for an urgent review of the St Leonards Crows Nest 2036 Plan.
The finalised Plan reduces the scale of development, from that initially proposed, on a number of key sites and was undertaken without any meaningful engagement or consultation with affected land-owners.
Urban Taskforce has called for a review of the Plan with a focus on jobs, opportunities for new housing and feasible development outcomes. The recommendation to the Premier is that the review be undertaken in consultation with land-owners and overseen by the Greater Sydney Commission.
Read the Urban Taskforce media release slamming the plan here.
Read Urban Taskforce’s feedback on the plan in the Daily Telegraph here and in the Urban Developer here.
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Numerous mattress store owners along the Pacific Highway can breathe a sigh of relief - Crows Nest St Leonards 2036 Plan renders much of the redevelopment of the precinct unfeasible.
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Alison Frame leaves DPIE for Canberra
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DPIE’s Deputy Secretary, Housing and Property, Alison Frame has been headhunted and snaffled by the Commonwealth to fill the role of Deputy Secretary, Social Policy at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
This is a massive gain for Canberra and a huge loss for NSW.
Alison was highly regarded in the industry as being a planner prepared to put the housing numbers, or lack there of, on the table. Alison led the production of the NSW Housing Strategy that set the benchmark of 50,000 new dwellings needing to be delivered every year, for years to come.
Alison also oversaw the re-ignition of the Communities Plus program, showing leadership in driving social reform through the LAHC.
Urban Taskforce wishes Alison the very best in her new role and looks forward to working with her in the future.
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Members' News
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Saturday’s Domain in the SMH featured Aqualand’s ‘The Revy’ at Pyrmont, with architecture by PTW, as well as Dyldam’s “Modena’ at Baulkham Hills….read more - Domain 29th August 2020 (subscription may be required)
Street Talk in the AFR suggests Atlassian is set to partner up with Dexus for its $1 billion landmark Sydney office development…read more - Australian Financial Review 4th September (subscription may be required)
Mirvac’s EY Centre at 200 George Street Sydney, designed in collaboration with fjmt studio, the building has won the Commercial category in the 2020 ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence….read more - Linked In 3rd September 2020
Sourceable’s Andrew Heaton writes about a The design of houses and apartment complexes needs to change after COVID…Crown Group’s Iwan Sunito and Urbis’ Michael Stott are quoted….read more - Sourceable 28th August 2020
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Amendments to Exempt and Complying SEPP Amendment (Low Rise Housing Diversity Code) - landscaped area
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DPIE has today advised Urban Taskforce of the gazettal of amendments to the Exempt and Complying Development SEPP (Low Rise Housing Diversity Code).
The amendment relates to clause 3B.15 Minimum Landscaped Area and "its ability to be applied effectively."
We'll be taking a closer look and advising our Members of any important implications.
View the gazetted amendment here.
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