This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE New South Wales government has released new guidelines for apartment designs, providing clarity for the property industry.
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Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the policy, known as State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 65 will provide clarity for the public and industry.
Stokes said 30% of Sydneysiders now live in apartments.
“For too long residential flats were stigmatized as a lesser style of living. New apartment design is about supporting the benefits this popular style of housing can provide.
“It’s critical the next wave of apartment living focuses on creating vibrant spaces and communities, close to shops, restaurants and parks,” he added.
“Last month we gave clarity to industry on minimum apartment sizes, today’s announcement builds on this by releasing updated standards for liveable apartments.
“These guidelines are based on advice and consultation from experts and people living in apartments to make sure new apartment developments provide enough light, ventilation, open space and a sensible approach to parking,” Stokes said.
“Following public feedback and consultation with councils, the final policy reflects that not requiring car spaces within 400 metres of a train station is not viable in some situations.
“The guide is now consistent with the Roads and Maritime Services standards which allocate car parking based on proximity to public transport and the number of bedrooms in a home,” he continued. “Councils will have the flexibility to reduce parking requirements where alternatives exist, such as car sharing on-site. It is important that policies recognise car use habits are different in the inner city as compared to greater Western Sydney.”
The move has been welcomed by the development industry`s peak body, the Urban Taskforce.
CEO Chris Johnson said the new policy has resolved many concerns raised by the industry.
“The new SEPP 65 requirements and the Apartment Design Guide continue most of the current apartment standards but the new documents have clarified areas of confusion and changed what was a ‘code’ to the status of a ‘guide’.
“It is also pleasing to see that the new document is clearly defined as a “Guide” and that the document clarifies that decision making bodies such as councils must understand this. Some standards have been included in the legal instrument, State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 65 that are binding minimums and these are appropriate to give certainty to the industry and communities. These minimums include apartment sizes, ceiling height and car parking,” he added.
However, Johnson has raised some concerns about the separation between a commercial building and an apartment building.
“The Urban Taskforce is concerned about how separation between a commercial building and an apartment building is measured as many commercial buildings are being recycled as apartment buildings in urban areas.
“We believe that the Guide’s provisions for setbacks may restrict mixed use development in Sydney,” Johnson said.
Australian Property Journal
