The New South Wales chapters of the Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects have voiced their disappointment in the NSW government’s decision to revoke planning reform intended to deliver sustainable development.
Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts announced that he would be “discontinuiting” the Minister’s Planning Principles in order to prioritize the delivery of new homes and housing affordability.
Released in December 2021, the Minister’s Planning Principles comprised a state-wide plan for sustainable development in New South Wales. The nine principles outlined in the plan included initiatives aimed at improving planning systems, developing greater resilience, strengthening biodiversity and conservation efforts, and designing for better quality of life.
Roberts justified the backflip by stating that the government had to retain its focus on delivering a pipeline of housing supply and affordability.
“The premier has given me a very clear priority – delivering more homes and our principles must help me deliver on that priority,” Roberts said. “I want to work with our stakeholders on ways to boost the supply and affordability so as we do that I have discontinued the Minister’s Planning Principles.”
President of the Australian Institute of Architects NSW chapter Laura Cockburn has deemed the decision unwise, as a move that will effectively sideline sensible principles protecting land use and risk management.
“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?” said Cockburn. “This is a short-sighted decision that could have enduring negative impacts.”
Cockburn said she had been hopeful the change in planning regulation would not impact the efforts to design places to meet the needs of the community under the State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP).
She added that constant change from government would only undermine its mission by unsettling the investor confidence in affordable housing that the backflip is intending to secure.
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects has also expressed its concern with the decision, with NSW chapter president Tanya Wood stating it “defied logic” to remove the nine planning principles.
“These principles were aimed at creating healthy, green, liveable places across NSW,” said Wood. “To remove these ideals lacks common sense and indicates a concerning approach to future state planning.”
