27 March | Planning + Reform Tracker

There continues to be substantial movement in the planning space in NSW – both in a legislative and a policy work context. 

The Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) is meeting fortnightly and quickly working through Expression of Interest applications from developers asking to be considered under the new housing acceleration pathway.  As at the beginning of March, 29 proposals with the potential to deliver over 15,000 new houses have been declared State Significant Development and are progressing to assessment by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).  The HDA has also clarified that detached housing sites on greenfield development will be considered by the HDA. 

Budget Estimates has also been taking place over the previous weeks, with some interesting commentary emerging from the parliamentary hearings which see Ministers and top bureaucrats quizzed over issues by the Opposition and Cross Benchers.  In planning hearings there was a particular focus on the Housing and Productivity Contribution and whether it is achieving its aims or is simply another tax that is inhibiting the release of new developments.     

As always, you can check the progress of reforms in our ‘Planning Reform Tracker’,   the monthly table that we use to track the progress of major NSW Government policy and regulatory proposals from the initial announcement through to implementation.    

PLANNING REFORM TRACKER

Please contact me, Corporate Affairs and Development Director Ilana Waldman if you have any questions with respect to any of these items. 

Finally, keep an eye out in your email for our new series, “In conversation with Richo”, where I interview Labor legend Graham Richardson for his insights into current political issues and developments.