DPIE recently published 365 of the 664 submissions received to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Draft Precinct Plans.

Not surprisingly, many of the submissions raised the widely reported concerns of land being “sterilised” due to landowners’ properties being zoned for parkland or greenspace.

It was the submissions from Liverpool and Penrith Councils, however, that have captured the attention of some Urban Taskforce members.

Consistent with Urban Taskforce advocacy and messaging, the Councils' submissions covered the cumulative impact of the many layers of plans and their inherent lack of flexibility, as well as the on-going uncertainty around infrastructure funding.

The Penrith Council submission states:

"The economic opportunities afforded by the Aerotropolis continue to be welcomed by Council, although the cumulative impact of the various plans and studies must be reviewed holistically to ensure that development remains achievable, particularly regarding funding… The Precinct Plans should not be made until there is a clear pathway for funding infrastructure delivery…"

Liverpool Council submitted:

"Chapter 1 of the draft Precinct Plan specifies that a planning proposal may be required where the proposed development is not consistent with the Precinct Plan. There should be enough flexibility available within the Precinct Plan to allow for minor changes … (instead) A merit assessment could be made at the development application or master planning stage, thereby reducing the resource burden and time constraints of a planning proposal."

Urban Taskforce shares these concerns of the Councils.

We have recommended that supplementary funding to support the provision of local infrastructure be provided by State and Commonwealth treasuries given the State and nation wide significance of the precinct. We have also recommended that infrastructure is delivered or funded on a staged basis – rather than seeking the full scope upfront.
 

We all agree that local infrastructure needs to be provided to facilitate the growth of the new Western Parkland City of Bradfield and surrounds. However, given the significance of this new city to future employment, research and investment, support needs to come from both State and Commonwealth Governments.

The combined impact of developer contributions as currently proposed together with the sequencing plans start to make investment in the Aerotropolis look marginal. Add the draft Precinct Plans into the mix and new development begins to look unfeasible and unlikely to “take-off” - at least in the short term.
 

Urban Taskforce asserts the draft Precinct Plans, with their 270(!) planning requirements, is likely to stifle development and investment, at least for the short to medium term, in many of the Aerotropolis precincts. We eagerly await the Government response to submissions.
 

Click here to access the 365 submissions to the draft Precinct Plans, including those from the Urban Taskforce, Liverpool and Penrith Councils.

Wagga Wagga's local media has recently celebrated home approvals in the area rising by more than 30 per cent putting Wagga Wagga on track to see about $140 million worth of new houses built over the financial year.
 

ABS data reveals that detached homes in Wagga Wagga were approved at an average rate of 33 new dwellings per month between July 2020 and February 2021. The previous financial year saw just 24 new homes approved each month.
 

Local builders are saying they have "never been so busy".
 

So busy in fact that the industry is being challenged by a skilled labour and building materials shortage. Urban Taskforce members working in the area are reporting that it’s near impossible to get roofers on site and they are experiencing “chronic” delays in accessing timber and steel framing.
 

The challenge for Wagga Wagga and other regional councils, experiencing growth to their communities and economies, is ensuring they work with State Government (and quickly) to ensure that land for new residential land is rezoned at a rate that meets this growing demand.
 

COVID-19 has seen an exodus from Sydney with people flocking to the safety of living in regional communities without the congestion and pollution of city living.
 

This new demand for new homes is great for the regions, great for the property development and construction industry and great for the growth of these local economies and beyond.
 

The enthusiasm for growth in our regional cities contrasts with the NIMBY attitude in Sydney – which has restricted housing supply and pushed prices up to record levels. City dwellers, especially young people, are increasingly being driven out of Greater Sydney by rising house prices.
 

The regions have the space to grow out. Sydney does not. The regions celebrate the investment in their community and the opportunities that come with the inevitable change to the character of their areas. Sydney does not.
 

Sydney’s geographical and topographical constraints set the limits of where it can expand out. The recent floods have resulted in the pause button being pushed on some precincts identified for new housing in Western Sydney. Fresh supply of new homes is urgently needed to push housing prices down and accommodate our growing population. If Sydney won’t take the growth, the regional communities of NSW are showing that they are up for it – but the Government needs to ensure that supply lines are open so the regional construction sector is able to deliver.

Click here to read about the growth in housing approvals in Wagga Wagga as published in the Daily Advertiser.

Industry is subject to new obligations under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and Regulation, which commence on 1 July 2021.
 

As is always the case with new regulation, there are pros and cons.  If effectively implemented and policed, these new regulations will improve the quality of design and documentation of new residential apartment buildings.  Urban Taskforce members do the right thing and typically use top tier architects, engineers and design teams.  We fully support flushing out those who give the industry a bad name.  But we know one thing – government regulation and red tape increases costs for everyone – even those that do everything perfectly.  We will watch carefully to ensure that the new regulations target those who they are aimed at.
 

The Regulation provides for:

1. the registration of design practitioners, principal design practitioners, building practitioners and professional engineers (the practitioners)
2. the form and content of certain regulated designs and compliance declarations
3. provision of certain documents to the Secretary of the Department of Customer Service,
4. exclusions to building work and professional engineering work
5. the insurance required to indemnify registered practitioners
6. the recognition of professional bodies of engineers and the body's requirements for a recognition or registration scheme
7. matters to be included on the register of registrations of practitioners
8. the classes of registration for practitioners and the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills required for registration in a class of practitioner.

 
The Office of the NSW Building Commissioner states the changes are to “restore confidence in the residential construction industry and make sure that apartments being built are trustworthy.”

While the changes start from 1 July 2021 the NSW Building Commissioner is urging industry to get ready now.

To read the Design and Building Practitioners Regulation click here.
To find out more on how to prepare for the changes click here.