Hills Shire Council successful in medium density housing deferral bid
COUNCILS across north west Sydney are breathing a sigh of relief, after the State Government granted a 12-month deferral from its new medium density housing code.
Hills Shire
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COUNCILS across north west Sydney are breathing a sigh of relief, after the State Government granted a 12-month deferral from its new medium density housing code.
The code, which came into effect on Friday, makes it easier for developers and land-owners to build terraces and manor homes.
However 50 councils across NSW, including The Hills Shire, Hornsby, Hawkesbury and Parramatta, made successful pleas to the NSW Planning Department for a 12 month deferral on the code.
DEFFERAL FROM MEDIUM DENSITY HOUSING OUTRAGING HILLS RESIDENTS
Councils could use that year to change their local planning controls, prohibiting medium-density development in areas where it is now allowed.
A Hills Shire Council spokeswoman said council will use the time to “review its planning instruments”.
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“The purpose of these requests are to provide the best outcomes for residential areas where the code will apply,” she said.
The deferrals have alarmed developer groups, including the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and Urban Taskforce Australia.
“There is no reason for these deferments as they limit the delivery of a much-needed housing option,” HIA executive David Bare said.
Chris Johnson from Urban Taskforce said the government was in “election mode” and concerned about upsetting councils.
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“Councils seem to be rejecting two-storey medium density development, which is part of the solution to providing homes for a growing population in Sydney,” Mr Johnson said.
“The end result will be the approval of more high-rise development which will have a greater effect on communities.
“Councils have overreacted and our expectation is that they will now look at eliminating the potential for having these building type in their LGA.”