Lobbying by advisory firm Ethos Urban has prompted a Housekeeping Housing SEPP Amendment by NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), finally confirming that the seniors housing bonus (s87) applies to low and mid-rise (LMR) housing.
This follows an amendment by the Department to ensure the in-fill affordable housing bonus applies to the LMR chapter.
The low (one to two storeys)/ and mid-rise housing (three to six storeys) areas are residential zones within 800 metres walking distance from nominated town centres and nominated train/light rail stations.
"The other amendment for seniors housing is confirming that a basement does not constitute a storey for setback purposes. This relates to the setback development standard for levels above two storeys from side/rear boundaries (s84(3)(c)(iii)). Effectively, some councils were interpreting this as applying to the first floor and above (rather than from the second floor as intended), by considering the basement as a storey," Daniel West, Director, Planning at Ethos Urban, said.
"Disappointing that a number of other housekeeping amendments raised and advocated for by Ethos Urban and the industry have not been part of this amendment. However, encouraging news that DPHI is actively engaged with industry to improve the Housing SEPP."
Beam Planning said the updates to the Housing SEPP overcome senior housing's barriers to the implementation of the Low and Mid-rise Housing Policy.
"While detailed, these are important – and influential – changes that will enable more sites to take benefit from the incentives and deliver housing," they stated.
