In Sydney, Minister Paul Scully and the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure have unveiled a major planning reform set to transform urban housing.
This reform, effective next week, will enable owners of more than 220,000 properties across NSW to add new homes by building upwards, simultaneously facilitating essential capital repairs.
The policy, designed to address housing affordability by bridging the gap between high-rise apartments and suburban sprawl, comes following news that the New South Wales government has allocated $450 million to fund build-to-rent (BTR) projects.
Termed the Low and Mid Rise (LMR) Reforms, the overhaul aims to densify housing around critical urban areas.
Properties within a 10-minute walk of transport hubs, employment centers, and essential services are the focus, with the plan allowing for the construction of four-six storey buildings in designated residential zones.
The initiative will predominantly impact the Sydney metropolitan area, affecting more than 130 transport stations and town centers, and extend to 25 locations in the Central Coast – Newcastle region, and 11 in the Illawarra – Shoalhaven region.
Approximately 185,000 properties are poised for new development opportunities, with 129,000 benefiting from increased floor space ratios and adjusted minimum lot sizes, paving the way for rooftop housing developments.
New rooftop development in Bondi
The reform introduces airspace development, allowing the construction of rooftop homes over existing buildings. This method reflects successful international practices in cities like London and New York, where vertical expansions provide additional housing without the need for new land use, thereby preserving existing communities and structures.
Warren Livesey (pictured above), a specialist in airspace development from Buy Airspace, praised the initiative. The company specialises in creating rooftop residences and enhancing strata value by assisting owners with funding for building repairs and sustainability upgrades.
“This is a game-changing policy. Instead of demolishing buildings and displacing communities, we now have a chance to utilise unused airspace, create much-needed housing, and fund building repairs—without adding urban sprawl,” Livesey said.
With the reform impacting 35 local government areas, including nearly 10,000 properties in Sutherland Shire gaining an FSR uplift, property owners are encouraged to evaluate the potential of their buildings.
