6. Planning Initiatives
6.1 NSW Coastal Planning Guideline: Adapting to sea level rise
In August 2010, the NSW Government released the final NSW Coastal Planning Guideline: Adapting to Sea Level Rise, to assist councils, State agencies, planners and development proponents when addressing sea level rise in land-use planning and development assessment.
The Guideline applies to all coastal areas of NSW, including the NSW Coastal Zone, as well as Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. The term 'coastal areas' is used broadly to include the coastline, beaches, coastal lakes, estuaries, as well as the tidal reaches of coastal rivers. It also includes other low-lying land surrounding these areas that may be subject to coastal processes in the future as a consequence of sea level rise.
The Guideline adopts the following six coastal planning principles for sea level rise adaptation:
- Assess and evaluate coastal risks taking into account the NSW sea level rise planning benchmarks.
- Advise the public of coastal risks to ensure that informed land use planning and development decision-making can occur.
- Avoid intensifying land use in coastal risk areas through appropriate strategic and land-use planning.
- Consider options to reduce land use intensity in coastal risk areas where feasible.
- Minimise the exposure to coastal risks from proposed development in coastal areas.
- Implement appropriate management responses and adaptation strategies, with consideration for the environmental, social and economic impacts of each option.
6.2 Planning for renewable energy on buildings
In December 2010, state-wide planning provisions were introduced in NSW to make it easier to install certain renewable energy systems on buildings including homes, farms, commercial and industrial buildings, schools, and community facilities. State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 ("the Infrastructure SEPP) was amended to make certain small wind turbine systems and solar energy systems (being photovoltaic systems, solar hot water systems and solar air heating systems) permissible without consent, or as exempt or complying development, depending on size, scale and location.
Development for the purpose of certain solar energy systems may be carried out on any land by a public authority without consent. Different requirements apply depending on the zoning of the land and whether the system is mounted on a building or on the ground. A planning approval or assessment is not required for development that is exempt development, while a complying development certificate can be obtained at minimal cost from a council or accredited certifier in around 10 days.
6.3 Precinct Planning - Sydney's Growth Centres
Precinct Planning is the key to getting land to market as quickly and sustainably as possible. It is a detailed process which analyses the development potential of each Precinct in the Growth Centres.
It is expected that Sydney's population will grow to almost 6 million by 2036. This means the city will need 770,000 more homes and 760,000 more jobs than it had in 2006. Around 70% cent of Sydney's new homes will be in existing suburbs, while up to 30 per cent will be in new release or 'greenfield' areas. By focusing much of the land release within the North West and South West Growth Centres, Sydney can grow in a planned, sustainable way.
Precinct Planning involves detailed investigations into appropriate land use options, physical environmental constraints (topography, vegetation, bushfire mapping, mapping of water courses, etc.) and infrastructure requirements. Under Precinct Planning, the time it takes to rezone land and has been slashed from 7-10 years previously to as little as 2-3 years.
The Growth Centres will be planned to the highest standards, providing
- a diversity of housing ranging from traditional houses on larger blocks to higher density apartments
- fair and easy access to public transport, jobs, shops, services and open spaces
- protected bushland and waterways which not only enhance biodiversity values but provide green, leafy suburbs.
- a diversity of employment options and direct public transport links to major employment areas outside the Growth Centres.
