What's New
August 2015
The Urban Taskforce reviewed the application and supporting documents for the proposed Crown Sydney Hotel Report, Barangaroo. UTF supports the proposal as the design and layout provides an excellent balance between the built form of the hotel and the natural environmental of the Barangaroo Reserve. The iconic location of the proposal requires a ‘landmark’ building and the design of the hotel should not be altered.
14 August 2015
The Australian Infrastructure Audit seeks to identify future demand for infrastructure over the next 14 years, to inform long term planning and future investment priorities. The Urban Taskforce supports the audit and notes the need to establish a strong link between infrastructure and land use planning, increase private sector involvement in infrastructure provision and ensure governance and responsibility for infrastructure is clearly separated between the three tiers of government.
14 August 2015
The Urban Taskforce notes that a complex planning system has led to excessive reporting and compliance burdens on local government and reporting systems should be consolidated and streamlined wherever possible.
July 2015
Our submission focuses on the development opportunities associated with the Sydney Metro – CBD & South west project. Governance is crucial and Transport for NSW must work closely with the Department of Planning & Environment to ensure the benefits of this new transport infrastructure are fully realised. Areas around metro stations must be reviewed to ensure land use zones and development controls will maximise development potential. The Urban Taskforce argues that strategic planning should upzone areas around stations for high density residential development where appropriate to allow the property market to deliver additional housing in accessible areas close to public transport.
28 October 2014
To avoid detrimental impact on housing affordability and project feasibility, the Government must immediately take action to ensure that until the draft SEPP and Guide are finalised, no
consideration or weight be given to them by a consent authority when making a determination of a development application. Unless this is done, Government will be shown to be pursuing a policy reform agenda that is in no way making apartment development more affordable.
31 October 2014
The Urban Taskforce argues that the draft State Environmental Planning Policy No 65 – Design Quality of Residential Flat Development and draft Apartment Design Guide try to do more than needed. That is, the draft guideline includes far too many performance criteria and acceptable solutions, particularly when it is understood that by law, only registered architects are able to design residential flat buildings in New South Wales.
12 June 2014
Our submission focuses on the unintended and adverse impact of planning, zoning and land use restrictions on competition and responds to the issues raised in Chapter 2 – Regulatory Impediments to Competition. The Urban Taskforce argues that the New South Wales experience is that planning and zoning regulation do exert an adverse impact on competition.
24 April 2014
Though not perfect, the bilateral assessments agreement prevents the duplication of assessment. However, there is still a need for two approvals, one from the State Planning Minister and the other from the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment. We are pleased to note that the Government is pursing the introduction of an approval bilateral.
24 April 2014
We pleased to see that the Department of Planning understands that major urban renewal projects must be supported by flexible planning controls as the market will change over the life of the project. However, the state and local government must drive renewal and this would be further facilitated with the introduction of a code assessment approval system for the precinct.
14 April 2014
With respect to this benchmarking exercise, the Urban Taskforce is of the view that the cost of local infrastructure plan preparation, management and administration should not be passed on to the development industry as an additional cost in the plan. Plan preparation and general administration of a local infrastructure plan should be considered part of councils’ core responsibilities.
