Diverse dwelling densities needed: Urban Taskforce

Jennifer DukeDecember 7, 2020

Proposed changes to the NSW planning reforms must not stop the diversity of housing types required, according to the Urban Taskforce.

With a growing number of people wanting to live in more urban areas, often in apartments, it is crucial that the low density suburban models for Sydney are encouraged in the right locations, said Urban Taskforce's CEO Chris Johnson.

"What is needed to contribute to community discussions on future growth are a number of models for varying levels of density," Johnson said, pointing to a new system of grading density based on building heights that they havd designed.

They range from 100 to 1,000 people per hectare, with the extent of amenities increasing with higher density levels.

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“We need a robust planning system that supports the development of new housing. This may mean having many Urban Activation Precincts at town centres and transport nodes where the code assessable system can get communities involved in setting the rules for development options and then projects get faster approvals when they comply with the rules," Johnson said.

“Sydney needs to engage in discussion about the need for a range of density types so that we can accommodate the 1.5 million extra people needing housing in the city over the next 20 years." 

In recent years, Sydney has produced 15,000 new houses per year, with a recent boost to 21,000.

Johnson said that at least 32,000 new houses or apartments will be required per annum over the next 20 years.

Jennifer Duke

Jennifer Duke was a property writer at Property Observer

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