The recent decision of the NSW Government to shelve planning reforms introduced by former Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes in December 2021 is seeing mixed reactions from the industry.

The nine principles, collectively known as the Minister's Planning Principles, aimed to simplify the state’s planning policies for the community and industry by creating clear strategic approaches to delivering housing, jobs, infrastructure and good design. These reforms, which also included focus areas such as environmental conservation, affordable housing and disaster resilience, were slated to come into effect from 1 March 2022.

NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts had recently announced the discontinuation of the Minister's Planning Principles to ensure focus remained on the government's priority of delivering a pipeline of housing to boost the supply of new homes and housing affordability.

"The Premier has given me a very clear priority – delivering more homes and our principles must help me deliver on that priority," the Minister said.

The Ministerial Direction giving effect to the Minister's Planning Principles was, therefore, revoked.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from the NSW Chapters of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) and Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA).

“In the midst of our current flood and housing crises, why would a government choose to remove planning principles aimed at disaster resilience, and delivering affordable housing? This is a short-sighted decision that could have enduring negative impacts,” said AIA NSW Chapter president Laura Cockburn.

Similarly, AILA NSW Chapter president Tanya Wood commented that the decision defied logic. “These principles were aimed at creating healthy, green, liveable places across NSW. To remove these ideals lacks common sense and indicates a concerning approach to future state planning.”

The Planning Minister’s decision to revoke the reforms has received support from Luke Achterstraat, NSW executive director of the Property Council of Australia, who had earlier described the planning policy as well-intentioned but ‘semi-cooked’.

Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive Tom Forrest also supported the Minister’s decision.

Image: NSW Liberal Party

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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