NSW Government low to mid rise housing policy update
In December 2023, the NSW Government exhibited proposed changes to make it easier to build new low to mid rise housing. The government has defined mid rise housing as dual occupancies through to seven-storey unit blocks. Ku-ring-gai Council lodged a submission raising significant concerns about the reforms.
In July 2024, the NSW Government commenced the first part of these reforms, which has permitted dual occupancy projects on most residential land in Ku-ring-gai, subject to lodgement of a development application and granting of consent.
The Council is currently examining the implications of this change, including the development standards (such as minimum lot sizes) which will apply to dual occupancy proposals. It is currently not in a position to provide detailed advice to the community and proponents.
At the same time, the NSW Government deferred other proposed aspects of the policy, including more flexible provisions for terraces, townhouses, multi-unit dwellings and apartment buildings near stations and town centres. These reforms are separate to the government’s Transport Oriented Development reforms, which came into effect on 13 May 2024.
Latest update
July 2024
On 1 July, the NSW Government announced it had made dual occupancies permissible in most residential zones in Ku-ring-gai. A dual occupancy development involves subdividing and placing two dwellings on an existing single block of land, whether these dwellings are attached or detached.
The Council is currently examining the implications of this change, including being able to provide advice to the community and proponents.
May 2024
At the Council meeting on 21 May 2024, Council considered a paper prepared by the NSW Department of Planning Housing & Infrastructure. This paper outlines the key issues identified in the public submissions to the Department regarding the policy, along with proposed refinements to address them. Each issue is addressed through one or more policy refinements, some of which the Department have stated they wish to collaborate one-on-one with councils to develop an appropriate policy position.
For details see Late Agenda of Ordinary Meeting of Council - Tuesday 21 May 2024
Key NSW Government links
Key Council links
Examples of low-rise housing
Examples of mid-rise housing
