Small renovations and home building to become easier: Brad Hazzard
New changes to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Expempt and Complying Development) are set to make renovations easier, according to New South Wales Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Brad Hazzard.
After two years of consultation, up to $7,000 will be saved on the cost of building a new home by getting approval as a complying development, said Hazzard.
“They will give homeowners and businesses faster, simpler approvals for low-impact developments such as building or renovating a home or business," he said.
“This will help streamline the delivery of new housing, create jobs and deliver more certainty in the planning process.”
These changes also impact on businesses, which are now able to open 24 hours in the two weeks leading up to Christmas 2014, without requiring planning approval. This will only be in business zones where residents are not affected.
For homeowners, it will make it easier to:
- Install aerials and antennas
- Build fences, driveways and paths
- Get fast-track approvals for single storey backayrd studios
- Get fast-track approvals for home food production businesses
Fast track approvals are also going to be expanded to included homes and home extensions partially built to one side boundary. This will be for lots between eight and 12.5 metres. Currently it is between eight and 10 metres.
Commercial building alterations will also have red tape cut, including internal changes and erecting of signage.
If you're a neighbour within a 20 metre radius of a complying development proposal, you will need to be given 14 days before the application is approved, and then seven days before construction stards (previously it was two).
Privacy rules will be increased, with screens required for balconies and windows overlooking neighbours.
NSW executive director of the Property Council of Australia, Glenn Byres, agreed with the changes and the red tape reduction to lower the time and costs faced by property owners and buyers.
“Residents shouldn’t have to jump through major planning hurdles if what they are doing is low-impact and doesn’t affect neighbours," said Byres.
“Roughly a third of regular development applications are for minor developments worth less than $25,000 – showing that there is room for significant improvements in this area," he said.
For more information, see the Planning website regarding Expempt and Complying developments.