Local government is primarily responsible for the day to day planning and administration of land use. A system of local environment plans, drawn up by local government, regulates land use, including housing densities and minimum lot sizes. Regional and State environmental plans and policies formulated by the State government may impact on the local environment plan.
Sorensen notes that the planning system has been innately conservative for two main reasons. The ideal of the single dwelling unit on a quarter acre block in a spacious suburb was encouraged and reinforced by regulatory fiat - notably by local council. Substantial minimum block sizes, setbacks from roadways, wide verges and wide streets all contributed to low population density suburbs. The second reason as identified by Sorensen concerns the development industry’s response to this regulatory environment. The industry has tended to ‘play by the rules’ to avoid expensive delays fighting the planning system, and
because the single dwelling unit is apparently what the public thinks they want. The housing industry has not provided a wide range of living experiences, while the public is unaware of the housing choices. Sorensen made these points in 1989, and since then both the industry 19 and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning have promoted a much wider diversity of housing forms.
Whilst local government is the lead agency in regards to land use planning in the local area, it is the responsibility of the State government to plan for the city and State as a whole. Many local councils, often in response to local resident groups, have hindered attempts by the State government to increase urban densities in established areas. This has led the State government to introduce a wide variety of regional environmental plans and State environmental planning polices in an attempt to increase the urban consolidation of the greater Sydney metropolitan area.
The Centre for International Economics has confirmed that at least 70% of new housing by 2036 will be located within existing urban areas of Sydney and the Central Coast. Their stats have indicated that this approach will be the most beneficial for Sydney. The construction of the new housing will be located near city centres, which includes:
Sorensen notes that the planning system has been innately conservative for two main reasons. The ideal of the single dwelling unit on a quarter acre block in a spacious suburb was encouraged and reinforced by regulatory fiat - notably by local council. Substantial minimum block sizes, setbacks from roadways, wide verges and wide streets all contributed to low population density suburbs. The second reason as identified by Sorensen concerns the development industry’s response to this regulatory environment. The industry has tended to ‘play by the rules’ to avoid expensive delays fighting the planning system, and
because the single dwelling unit is apparently what the public thinks they want. The housing industry has not provided a wide range of living experiences, while the public is unaware of the housing choices. Sorensen made these points in 1989, and since then both the industry 19 and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning have promoted a much wider diversity of housing forms.
Whilst local government is the lead agency in regards to land use planning in the local area, it is the responsibility of the State government to plan for the city and State as a whole. Many local councils, often in response to local resident groups, have hindered attempts by the State government to increase urban densities in established areas. This has led the State government to introduce a wide variety of regional environmental plans and State environmental planning polices in an attempt to increase the urban consolidation of the greater Sydney metropolitan area.
The Centre for International Economics has confirmed that at least 70% of new housing by 2036 will be located within existing urban areas of Sydney and the Central Coast. Their stats have indicated that this approach will be the most beneficial for Sydney. The construction of the new housing will be located near city centres, which includes:
- Transport, such as bus interchanges and stops, and railway stations
- Retail stores, such as shops, shopping centres, restaurants and fast food outlets.
- Financial institutions, such as banks and ATMs, and less often insurance centres.