Other

The Not So “Missing Middle”

May 9, 2019 by Linda Kelly

There has been much written about the so called ‘missing middle” as part of a solution to Sydney’s housing problem. Last year the State Government introduced a new code to allow certain types of medium density housing like terrace housing and dual occupancies, to be approved by private certifiers within 20 days if they comply with predetermined controls.Mosman, like the majority of Sydney metropolitan councils, received a 12 month deferral of the commencement of the code. This is due to expire on 1 July 2019. The State Government has remained silent on any plans for the affected councils past that date and has not responded to Council’s request for a permanent exclusion from the code.

Other

Net zero buildings

Nov 7, 2018 by Linda Kelly

Did you know that in Greater Sydney, the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is energy use in buildings?

Environment

Environmentalism – how are we travelling one generation on?

Oct 31, 2018 by Linda Kelly

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the annual environmental law lecture at Macquarie University. It was delivered by Senator Mehreen Faruqi on Environmentalism: Rekindling the Flame. Addressing a largely young audience with high levels of enthusiasm about the potential for change, Mehreen inspired these young university students and academics to do what they can to influence decision-makers on environmental matters that they are passionate about.

Greater Sydney Commission, Planning News

Mosman is on track to meet its housing target

Aug 21, 2018 by Linda Kelly

Recently the SMH (12 August, 2018) ran a story about where Sydney’s building approvals are overshooting their housing targets. In the list of 33 metropolitan councils Mosman was last on the table.

Greater Sydney Commission, Planning News

Connecting local planning with bigger picture strategies

Jun 29, 2018 by Linda Kelly

How will metropolitan and district strategic plans be implemented at the local level? This is a question currently being addressed by local councils, the Greater Sydney Commission and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment through a series of working group meetings across Sydney over the next few months.

Other

Protecting Mosman’s character is high on Council’s agenda

Jun 13, 2018 by Linda Kelly

When Council met last Tuesday it resolved to resist attempts by the State Government to standardise local area character by urging the Minister for Planning to exclude Mosman from the provisions of the new Medium Density Code, and to make permanent our current exclusion from the Housing Code.

Greater Sydney Commission

Greater Sydney Commission comes to Mosman

Apr 13, 2018 by Linda Kelly

Yesterday Mosman Council hosted a visit by representatives of the Greater Sydney Commission. Sarah Hill (CEO), Deborah Dearing (North District Commissioner), Greg Woodhams (Executive Director) and Sylvia Smith (Director) met with Council’s General Manager and planners. The purpose of the visit was to hear from the Commission about their plans for implementing the North District Plan and to provide the Commission the opportunity to see firsthand some of the planning issues in Mosman.

Architecture and Design, Planning News, Urban Planning

Placemaking and Cityshaping – thought provoking ideas

Mar 20, 2018 by Linda Kelly

Last week Active Living NSW held the 2018 FitNSW conference titled Placemakers and Cityshapers: the pathway to active and healthy communities. This was an incredibly well-attended conference with health professionals, planners, designers, architects and transport professionals from local government, State government and the private sector listening to ways collaboration and innovation can create more walkable and healthy places.

Planning News

Planning panels legislation

Aug 18, 2017 by Linda Kelly

Last week the NSW Parliament passed legislation that would amend the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act to remove the role of Councillors from determining development applications, among other things, under Part 4 of the Act. These functions will be required to be undertaken by an independent panel of experts called a local planning panel.

Planning Controls, Planning News, State Planning

Government plans to allow medium density housing without Council approval

Feb 25, 2016 by Linda Kelly

The State government released a Discussion Paper late last year on a proposal to expand the types of development that could be done without development consent. This development, known as complying development, would include dual occupancies and medium density housing which the Department of Planning and Environment defines as manor homes and townhouses.

Author: Linda Kelly