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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. We will connect you to like minded people with new urban ideas
Tom Forrest
CEO - Urban Taskforce Australia
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Construction re-opening update
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Are we on the right track for re-opening?
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One week on from the partial reopening, the Urban Taskforce supports the NSW Government in their efforts to date to allow some construction sites to re-open. There is on-going consultation around further reopening of the industry and greater productivity.
The Urban Taskforce supports the Government’s vigorous promotion of vaccination opportunities on and near construction sites. We support the recently adopted provision and promotion of additional vaccination opportunities – particularly for workers in the eight local government areas of concern - where many of our construction workforce reside.
Industry has worked hard to develop and promote safe systems of work. Industry has led trials of rapid antigen testing and is active in the promotion of every possible opportunity for construction staff to get vaccinated.
Urban Taskforce continues to keep the development and construction industry informed. Changes are coming quick and fast but Urban Taskforce is doing everything it can to keep the industry up to date while working hard to re-open our industry safely.
We have on our web-site a dedicated page on “COVID-19 Information for the Development Industry”. The page includes links to:
Urban Taskforce will continue to take feedback from our members on the implications of restrictions and work with Government on practical and safe options for moving forward. Further information on restrictions relating to the development and construction industry will be provided as decisions are made.
Click here to view the resources available on the Urban Taskforce dedicated webpage: “COVID-19 Information for the Development Industry”.
Click here to watch Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest on Channel 9 News commenting on the limitations of current restrictions on the re-opening of the construction industry.
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Housing in NSW – prices continue to escalate, approvals remain low and a draft Housing SEPP that won’t deliver new housing
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On Saturday, Minister Stokes announced the exhibition of the latest iteration of the Housing SEPP. The Minister said the SEPP was part of the Government’s efforts to “boost housing supply”.
Urban Taskforce has looked at the policy, spoken to members and found that the draft SEPP will do the opposite.
There were far more opportunities to deliver affordable housing two years ago than there are now or under this draft policy.
The draft SEPP has effectively killed the feasibility boarding houses.
For the new housing form known as “co-living” the SEPP effectively reduces the Floor Space Ratio (FSR) bonus from 20% down to 10%, prohibits it in R2 (low density residential) zones and includes mandated car parking requirements. Far from promoting a new housing type, this draft Housing SEPP destroys the feasibility.
The draft policy has been released at a time when housing prices are going through the roof. And it’s not just dwelling houses that are increasing in price.
According to property data firm CoreLogic, Sydney's median apartment value has grown 10% over 2021. The median apartment value is now $810,000, having started the year at $734,000.
In terms of the much needed housing approvals to lift supply to drive prices down, the news is not good. The latest ABS approvals data shows that in NSW the planning system approved 12.7% less in June than was approved in May. Apartment approvals across NSW have dropped significantly (most of these in Greater Sydney) while new separated house approvals have remained relatively flat.
If the NSW Government really supports housing diversity and more affordable housing choice, they should scrap this draft Housing SEPP and start again.
In the meantime, if the Government is serious about boosting housing supply, it’s time to:
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actively drive local councils to meet their Greater Sydney Commission housing targets
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explore opportunities for more housing in centres and employment areas through a true mixed use zone and adaptive re-use options, and
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Establish a State Significant Development planning pathway for high value high yield housing projects
The draft Housing SEPP is on exhibition until August 29.
Read Minister Stokes’ media release on the draft Housing SEPP here.
Read the Urban Taskforce media release on the draft Housing SEPP- “Scrap it and start again” as published in Urban.com.au here.
Read Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest’s opinion piece on as published in the Daily Telegraph and Urban.com.au here.
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Audit office reviews and reports on DPIE’s Fast Tracked Assessments Program
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The Audit Office has reviewed tranches 3 -6 of last year’s Fast Track program to see if the objectives were met, while complying with planning controls.The objectives were:
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deliver jobs
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progress to the next stage of development within six months of determination
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deliver public benefit
While the first couple of tranches were essentially a clearing the Minister and DPIE Secretary’s desk on DAs and PPs that had been around for years, the fast-tracked assessment program was an initiative welcomed by the Urban Taskforce. After all – a late decision is better than no decision.
However. the results of this program were disappointing for some private sector proponents.
Urban Taskforce did an analysis of the projects in tranches one to five of the program. Of the 88 projects identified for “acceleration”, only 31 were development applications from the private sector, amounting to approximately $2 billion of the $25 billion worth of investment. The remaining projects were government initiatives or re-zonings.
Irrespective of the focus on government projects, the Urban Taskforce celebrated the planners at DPIE rising to the challenge of adjusting the mind set and seeing their role as facilitators of jobs creation and employment.
The good news is that the Audit Office has found almost all projects have moved onto the next stage within 6 months as the program required.
To review the findings and recommendations of the Audit Office see here.
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Other things happening this week
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Draft Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 on exhibition
DPIE has released a draft of the proposed Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (the proposed 2021 Regulation).
According to DPIE, changes to the Regulation are proposed to:
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reduce administrative burden and increase procedural efficiency.
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establish a simpler, more modern and transparent planning system.
Full details of the changes are provided in the exhibition draft of the proposed 2021 Regulation, Submission can be made up until 22 September.
Additional information can be found on DPIE’s website here.
Design and Place SEPP working groups re-commence
Round 2 of the Design and Place working groups commenced this week. This round involves the Government Architect’s Office reporting back on what they heard as key issues coming from industry out of the exhibited Explanation of Intended Effect and propositions to address the concerns.
The Urban Taskforce has already put on record our on-going concerns of adding more layers to a planning system that is already - in the words of the NSW Productivity Commission - failing to deliver for NSW.
Planning Proposal and site specific DCP on exhibition for KRG’s Lindfield Village Hub site
Ku-ring-gai Council is exhibiting a planning proposal and DCP for the Lindfield Village Hub.
The documents’ proposals include:
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Increase the maximum height limit from 26.5m to 29.5m, 31.5m, and 37m respectively.
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Increase the FSR from 1.3:1 to 2.31:1, including a maximum residential component of 1.35:1.
The draft planning proposal and DCP are on exhibition until 27th August and are available here.
Regional Development Australia Inland Growth Summit
Regional Development Australia is hosting an “Inland Growth Summit: Housing 2021” to look at inland Australia’s growing housing shortage.
This one-day forum, to be held online on Friday 13th August, will include a presentation from The Hon Nola Marino MP, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories. Further details on the forum, including how to register, are here.
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Avenor receives approval to build a 30-storey apartment tower at 175 Walker Street, North Sydney… read more …
The Urban Developer August 4
Fife Capital lodge their application for a 17-storey mixed use residential and office development in the Sydney CBD… read more …
ArchitectureAU August 2
Urban Property Group, Deicorp and Holdmark feature in the industry’s response to the partial reopening of construction in Sydney … read more …
Sunday Telegraph August 1
Top Spring reveal plans for more than 300 units in 15 separate apartment blocks and townhouses across two streets in St Leonards … read more …
Daily Telegraph Newslocal August 2
Sydney developer Billbergia lodges plans for a four-tower residential precinct in Arncliffe near Sydney Airport … read more …
The Urban Developer August 3
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