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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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Is it OK for the NSW Government Architect to be a political activist for a building even the North Sydney Mayor said should go?
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MLC Building at North Sydney – ugly in 1957 –
and not a patch on the Ryde Civic Centre which the Heritage Council ultimately said was ok to destroy.
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This week saw the NSW Government Architect – Abbie Galvin - publicly campaigning in the SMH for the last-minute State Heritage listing of the MLC Building at North Sydney to which even the Council Mayor agrees should be demolished.
The SMH article titled “State’s architect backs protection of Sydney modernist building in heritage battle” followed the Minister responsible for the Heritage Act, Minister Don Harwin, requesting the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) provide independent advice on the proposed listing on the State Heritage Register.
To have senior executives in the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) engage in a last-minute push for the heritage listing of a privately owned building where the subject development has been through a public consultation process and has been supported by North Sydney Council, is simply not appropriate, and could be construed as an attempt to place quite inappropriate pressure on the IPC.
The Urban Taskforce has now written to the IPC and the Secretary of DPIE, Jim Betts, expressing in the strongest terms our concerns about the executive staff of DPIE becoming activists in a quest to stop development.
The MLC building was nominated for local heritage listing in 1988. In 2013, the State Government commissioned a review of modernist buildings for Heritage listings under the NSW Thematic Listing Program. The MLC building did not make the cut. It was on the back of that assessment that the current owner, Investa committed significant financial resources to the re development of the building.
Now, suddenly, after the North Sydney Mayor endorsed the Investa development proposal, the Heritage Council has called for this building’s protection. The Minister for Heritage, Hon Don Harwin MLC was not convinced, so he has asked the IPC to undertake an independent assessment and to provide advice. It was after this referral was made that the Government Architect spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Never before has a Government Architect sought to stop development or redevelopment. Their role has historically been limited to public buildings and the public domain. In recent years, the role has been broadened to include assistance for private and public sector projects to secure the best outcome for all involved. The current Government Architect seems to have mis-understood her role as a senior public servant in DPIE and is indulging in public advocacy and media comment.
Click here to read the NSW Government Architect’s comments on the heritage protection of the MLC Building.
Anyone who wishes to lodge a submission on the IPC’s review of the proposed heritage listing of the North Sydney MLC Building can do so via email (ipcn@ipcn.nsw.gov.au) or by using the ‘Have Your Say’ portal on the Commission’s website: www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/have-yoursay
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Energy efficiency – current ad-hoc plans will produce a patchwork quilt of policy and regulation
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If we allow each council to come up with it’s own energy efficiency policy for development, we risk a policy landscape that’s as ‘busy’ as this patchwork quilt.
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The City of Sydney is proposing a new plan that will require development applications for office buildings, hotels and high-rise apartment blocks to comply with minimum energy ratings from January 2023 and achieve net-zero energy output from 2026. From 2023, development applications for apartment blocks between 21 and 30 storeys must show they are able to use 30 per cent less energy than existing buildings of a similar scale in the same area.
Allowing the City of Sydney to progress with its own standards risks confusion and uncertainty as to the requirements across different councils in NSW. To avoid confusion and policy overlaps it would make more sense for energy efficiency requirements to be addressed by a state government planning policy.
The private sector is showing the way without government regulation – but if we are to regulate – we should not have a patchwork quilt of policy.
Read Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest’s comments on the City of Sydney’s ambitious plan and how industry is already leading the way here.
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Local government rating reforms legislation introduced in the NSW Parliament
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The Urban Taskforce has led the advocacy of Government for the need to reform the existing rating system so that Councils are incentivised, rather than disadvantaged, in accommodating housing growth.
The current rate pegging system has meant that Councils with growing populations have had costs outstripping revenue and have progressively pushed more and more costs onto developers and new home buyers - often young people entering the market for the first time who can least afford these extra costs.
On Wednesday, the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock introduced legislation into the Parliament as a significant step in the reform of the local government rating system. Minister Hancock reported in Parliament that the draft legislation “provides for greater rating flexibility, making rates fairer and helping councils cater for population growth and infrastructure costs".
The draft legislation includes the mechanism to remove the current rate peg that applies across the State, allowing councils’ general income to rise in line with population growth. IPART has been tasked with developing the new methodology for the rate which is due to be presented to Government is September.
The draft legislation before the Parliament includes a number of proposals that were supported by the Urban Taskforce in our submission to the earlier consultation paper.
Disappointingly the draft legislation also includes the proposal to remove current rate exemptions for land required to be protected under conservation agreements, to which the Urban Taskforce strongly objected to in our submission.
On balance Urban Taskforce supports the legislation as, if passed, it will incentivise Councils to better cater for growth and create the opportunity for new infrastructure to be funded by broader recipients not just the home buyer.
To view the draft legislation and the Local Governments Minister’s speech to the Parliament click here.
To view the Urban Taskforce submission to draft Bill’s Consultation Paper click here.
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Celebrating International Women’s Day – Nicki Hutley
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Nicki Hutley at the Urban Taskforce International Women's Day event
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For the next few editions of Urban Taskforce’s Urban Living Network, we’ll be show-casing each of the inspiring speakers from our International Women’s Day celebration.
This week we focus on the speech given by ABC TV and Ch.10 celebrity economist Nicki Hutley.
Nicki is a highly experienced economist, with broad-based expertise gained over three decades of practice in financial and investment markets, and in economic consulting. Nicki is also a frequent commentator in the media and is a regular guest on both The Drum and The Project. Nicki has a quick wit, a wonderful turn of phrase and is a genuine leader.
Nicki in her presentation to the lunch presented a selection largely unsurprising statistics on employment participation rates, wage gaps and super balances by gender. Nicki also shared her observations on the significant progress on the economic front made by women in the past three decades. Nicki concluded with “women still have many more hills to climb to reach our goals for economic equality. But with genuine leadership and innovative policy, we can get there.”
To read Nicki Hutley’s speech in full click here.
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Parramatta Council exhibits new draft s7.11 Contributions Plan
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Land application map - Draft City of Parramatta (Outside CBD) Development Contributions Plan 2021
Image: Parramatta City Council
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Parramatta Council is publicly exhibiting the Draft City of Parramatta (Outside CBD) Development Contributions Plan 2021 (the ‘Draft Plan’) to fund local infrastructure (under the provisions on s7.11 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act).
The Draft Plan will update and replace the nine existing contributions plans that currently apply outside the Parramatta CBD and Sydney Olympic Park with a single plan.
The Draft Plan and supporting documents will be on public exhibition from Wednesday 17 March 2021 to Friday 16 April 2021 and can be viewed here.
Submissions are due by 5.00pm Friday 16 April 2021.
Parramatta Council’s planning team can be contacted for further information on the draft plan via (02) 9806 5050 or at planningharmonisation@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
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Emerging Leader in Development Profile: introducing Urbis’ Jessica Ford
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Urbis’, Associate Director, Jessica Ford
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Jessica Ford is an Associate Director at Urbis specialising in statutory planning and strategic advisory work for a diverse range of clients and industry sectors.
Since joining Urbis close to nine years ago Jessica has demonstrated diligence and rigour in navigating complex planning issues, working alongside government agencies and departments within NSW and the ACT.
Leveraging her specialisation in statutory planning, Jessica has successfully delivered countless state significant, city and local centre development approvals for her clients.
Jessica’s passion for creating great places has led to her involvement in leading the management of numerous design excellence competitions.
More recently, Jessica worked on ‘111 & 121 Castlereagh’ located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Jessica led the project’s planning approval process which comprised a Concept DA followed by an invited international Design Competition and Detailed DA for the conservation and refurbishment of the former David Jones Market Street store including the construction of a 22- storey residential tower.
“I am proud to have been part of the team contributing to this iconic mixed-use development which will transform the Sydney CBD skyline”, said Jessica
“The construction and operational phases of this project will play a fundamental role in the economic recovery of our city post COVID and the ongoing viability and vitality of the CBD. Working on this project has been a highlight of my career, and I look forward to seeing and experiencing the vision come to life”, Jessica said.
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Sydney Metro West Planning Approvals
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Image: Sydney Metro West EIS, Sydney Metro
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The Metro West project received received two major planning approvals this week.
The approvals are for the project at concept level, from Westmead to the Sydney CBD, and the project's first stage, which includes station excavation and tunnelling between Westmead and The Bays.
The project's concept approval does not allow for construction or operation.
When complete, Sydney Metro West will service Westmead, Greater Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, The Bays Precinct and the Sydney CBD.
Sydney Metro West comprises 24km of twin tunnels between Westmead and Sydney CBD, along with confirmed new metro stations being at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays and Sydney CBD.
Further details of the approvals can be found here.
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The Mill
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Which side will re-shuffle first?
Talk of a cabinet re-shuffle for the NSW Government has been rife.
However, leaked opinion polling commissioned by the HSU and AWU shows that it is Labor that is in disarray.
The odds are very much on a move against the under-performing Leader of the NSW Opposition – and talk is growing of this being sooner – rather than later.
What was she thinking?
When researching the possible inspiration for the Government Architect’s most unusual public comments on the State heritage listing of the MLC Building at North Sydney the IPC's website revealed Abbie Galvin’s former employer, architects BVN, were responsible for the “award winning” adaptive re-use refurbishment in 2002 – the MLC Campus re-development.
Abbie was working with BVN in 2002 and went on to be a senior partner and leader of that firm.
Questions on the lips of many include:
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Why is an Executive of DPIE taking the most unusual step of making media comment on a matter before the IPC?
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Was this possible conflict of interest ,or perceived conflict of interest, disclosed to the Secretary of DPIE before media comment was made?
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What is motivating this last minute push to smash the value of a development bought in good faith and progressed to the satisfaction of North Sydney Council?
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Is there a double standard here in the way private sector developments are treated viz a viz developments of Council assets?
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