The newly introduced Low to Mid-Rise Housing Policy is set to reshape urban development. It presents a fresh opportunity to address growing housing demands while promoting sustainable, community-centred designs. This policy affects a wide range of professionals, including developers, architects, urban planners, and policymakers. In this post, we will break down the key elements of the policy, its impact on urban development, and its implications for industry stakeholders.
What’s Changing?
The policy aims to fill the “missing middle” in the housing market. It makes it easier to build a wider variety of housing types, from dual occupancies and terraces to low- and mid-rise apartments (up to six storeys).
It streamlines planning controls and overrides many local council rules. As a result, professionals now have a faster, clearer path to approvals.
Key Considerations
For industry professionals, the key development standards to consider involve residential flat buildings within R3 (Medium Density Residential) and R4 (High Density Residential) zones.
- In areas 0–400 meters from a station or centre, buildings can have a maximum floor space ratio of 2.2:1, a height of 22 meters, and up to 6 storeys.
- In areas 400–800 meters from a station or centre, the floor space ratio is 1.5:1, the height is 17.5 meters, and buildings can have up to 4 storeys.
These standards simplify project planning while supporting sustainable growth. The NSW Government provides an indicative map of the areas covered by this new policy.
Key Goals
- 112,000 new homes targeted over the next five years.
- Better utilization of existing infrastructure and transport links.
- Incentives for affordable housing, supporting diverse, vibrant communities.
The Big Picture
In summary, the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy opens exciting opportunities to deliver well-designed, affordable, and sustainable housing close to where people want to live and work. Understanding these changes is essential for anyone involved in NSW’s evolving housing landscape.
To learn more, read our detailed breakdown here.