Written by Commencing on 13 May 2024, new provisions under chapter 5 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) Amendment (Transport Oriented Development) aim to deliver more mid-rise residential flat buildings throughout New South Wales. Furthermore, the chapter will also aim to increase housing density within 400m of existing and planned public transport hubs as well as encourage the development of affordable housing to meet the needs of essential workers and members of the community. The new provisions will override the pre-existing Local Environmental Plan Controls, however, ‘heritage status’ rules will still be in force for all development projects. The government predicts that the new provisions allow for 185,800 new homes to be built in the span of 15 years. The new mid-rise residential flat building reforms include the introduction of height and floor space allowances to further encourage mid-rise housing developments in public transport hubs. The new chapter focuses on transport-oriented development areas and will affect the areas of:
- Bayside
- Burwood
- Canada Bay
- Canterbury-Bankstown
- Central Coast
- Cumberland
- Georges River
- Inner West
- Ku-ring-gai
- City of Lake Macquarie
- City of Newcastle
- City of Penrith
- City of Wollongong
The reforms also aim to deliver mid-rise residential flat buildings and shop top housing around rail and metro stations that are well designed, are of appropriate bulk and scale, and provide amenity and livability. Ultimately, the new provisions pursuant to chapter 5 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) Amendment (Transport Oriented Development) 2024 contribute to the NSW government’s agenda to boost housing supply.