NSW: New housing code will cut home approvals to ten days

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2008
NSW: New housing code will cut home approvals to ten days

SYDNEY, Dec 12 AAP - A new housing code, aimed at reducing approval times for new homes
and extensions from several months to 10 days or less, will provide a much needed boost
to the NSW housing industry, the state government says.

Planning Minister Kristina Keneally said the new code would apply to lots over 450
square metres, where a new single or two-storey detached house was planned.

It would also cover house alterations and additions, including swimming pools.

"If a proposed house meets set standards which limit its potential impact on neighbours
and the look of a street, it should not be tied up in red tape," Ms Keneally said in a
statement on Friday.

She maintained the new code would protect neighbours' rights and privacy, and would
not allow heritage-controlled houses to be demolished.

Ms Keneally said a checklist would ensure new homes or extensions would comply with
council standards.

"The checklist includes setbacks from the street, neighbouring properties and back
fence," she said.

"If a proposed house exceeds these limits, it would go through the development application
process."

The code will apply from February 27 next year.

Last year it took an average of 123 days to approve development applications for new
detached houses in Sydney, and 53 days in regional areas, Ms Keneally said.

Urban Taskforce spokesman Aaron Gadiel said the new code would help ordinary families
build their dream homes.

"The planning system has been bogged down in trivia, which has stopped councils allocating
the necessary resources to major developments - such as townhouses, apartments, shopping
centres and industrial premises," he said in a statement.

The Urban Taskforce is a property development lobby group.

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