Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 1210 In September 2016 the Minister for Planning issued a guide for preparing planning proposals that contained some positive aspects in relation to not allowing councils to misuse Voluntary Planning Agreements (VPAs) to raise funds for supplement council’s income. The proposals also stated that no Planning Proposals should be considered if an LEP is less than 5 years old. New requirements were established to strengthen strategic and local merit in relation to planning proposals. Planning Proposals are a process of submitting a project that is outside the current LEP but reflects more recent draft State Government Plans. It is vital to have flexibility where, for instance, the government announces a new Metro Rail with development uplift around stations. If however the LEP was less than 5 years old a planning proposal would be rejected. There will always be changing circumstances and it is essential that the development industry can respond with proposals. It would appear that the Sydney Planning Panels are using the strengthened guide to defer a number of worthwhile planning proposals. 7 RESTRUCTURE THE PLANNING PROPOSAL PROCESS TO SUPPORT CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS 8 DEVELOP A COMPLYING CODE FOR 6 STOREY APARTMENTS WITH QUICK APPROVALS Cover of Urban Ideas Issue 10 Image Source: www.planning.nsw.gov.au The NSW Government has recently introduced a complying code for two storey town houses and terrace houses under the title of 'Missing Middle'. While the new code is a good advance it is unlikely to lead to feasible developments where it replaces two storey houses with terraces. Its main use will be in greenfield areas. There is however a need to promote a 6 to 8 storey apartment typology that reflects the urban form of Barcelona or Paris. Buildings of this height will be economically feasible, will be under the tree canopy and will fit under the extensive fire requirements required for buildings under 25 metres. The other major use of this building typology will be to replace the out of date 1960s three storey walk up flats now that the strata laws have been changed to allow 75% of owners to agree on renewal. The Urban Taskforce believes that the areas of ageing 3 storey walk up flats should be mapped and rezoned for an up lift that supported the 6 storey complying code. The end result would be to encourage more housing of this midrise typology. The recent Education SEPP by the NSW Department of Planning allows School buildings upto 22m high to be complying. This sets a good precedent.