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Medium Density Housing Code

Medium Density Housing Code
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Medium Density Housing Code Development

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What is the code?

The Medium Density Housing Code, also known as the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code, is legislation created by the NSW Government to override Council’s planning controls to allow larger dual occupancies (duplexes), terraces, and permit manor houses in suburban areas. Manor houses are up to four units on a single block.

Dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces to be carried out under a fast–tracked complying development approval process, will not need approval from Council.  Only neighbours are required to be informed of these developments, and have no right to object.​

The Code commenced in the Canterbury Bankstown Local Government Area on 1 July 2020.

More information on the Code can be found here:
https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Housing/Low-Rise-Housing-Diversity-Code/The-Low-Rise-Housing-Diversity-Code  ​

How will it impact the city?

Issue​​​

Impact

Bigger dual occupancies / duplexes

  • Up to 80 per cent larger.
  • Duplexes with many more bedrooms, will completely transform some quiet family-friendly neighbourhoods.

Manor houses allowed in suburban areas

  • Introduces two-storey flats in low density neighbourhoods.
  • 3 or 4 homes on a single block with as little as a 15 metre frontage.

Less parking

  • The development control plan requires one space (two bedrooms or less) or two spaces (3 bedrooms or more).
  • Code only requires one space per dwelling
  • More parking on-street.

Reduced open space

  • Backyards reduced to 16 square metres:
    • From 80 square metres in the former Bankstown Council area.
    • From 50 square metres in the former Canterbury Council area.

Private certifiers approve development without Council oversight

  • Council will have no say in these developments, as they will be fast-tracked by private certifiers.

Less neighbour notification

  • Minimal neighbour notification.
  • No requirement for objections to be considered, essentially ‘FYI only’.

Housing growth in suburban areas

  • Council’s strategy for housing growth, which has been agreed to by the NSW Government, is to focus housing in centres, away from suburban neighbourhoods.
  • The Code allows larger dual occupancies and introduces manor houses as a new use that can be built in suburban areas.
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