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Understanding Land Zoning in NSW: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:59:41 GMT

If you’re thinking about building, developing, renovating — or even just buying property in NSW — one of the first things you’ll encounter is land zoning. It’s a concept that sits at the heart of our planning system, yet many people don’t fully understand how it works or why it’s so important.

As planners, zoning is our daily language. But for most people, it’s a maze of letters, clauses and maps. So let’s break it down.

If you’re thinking about building, developing, renovating — or even just buying property in NSW — one of the first things you’ll encounter is land zoning . It’s a concept that sits at the heart of our planning system, yet many people don’t fully understand how it works or why it’s so important.

As planners, zoning is our daily language. But for most people, it’s a maze of letters, clauses and maps. So let’s break it down.

What is Land Zoning?

Land zoning is how the NSW planning system decides what can be built where .

Zoning controls things like:

Whether residential, commercial or industrial uses are permitted
What building forms are allowed (houses, townhouses, apartments, shops etc.)
Heights, floor space, setbacks and density
Environmental protection and heritage considerations

It’s essentially the rulebook that guides how land is used and how cities and neighbourhoods evolve over time.

Where Do the Rules Come From?

Zoning in NSW is governed by a mix of state and local planning instruments, including:

✅ NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act
✅ Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) – set by councils
✅ State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) – set by NSW government
✅ Standard Instrument Template – ensures consistent zone names and definitions across NSW

Every block of land in NSW has a zone, such as:

R1, R2, R3, R4 – Residential
B1, B2, B3 – Business/Commercial
E1, E2 – Environmental conservation and management
MU1 – Mixed Use
IN1, IN2 – Industrial

Each zone has permitted uses , prohibited uses , and development standards .

Why Zoning Matters

Because zoning:

��️ Controls what you can build
�� Impacts land value and development feasibility
�� Protects environmental and heritage areas
�� Shapes transport, infrastructure and services
��️ Influences housing supply and affordability

Zoning decisions are city-shaping decisions. They influence how communities grow, who gets to live where, and what type of housing future generations will have access to.

How Zoning Is Changing in NSW

NSW is in a once-in-a-generation period of planning reform.

In response to supply shortages and housing affordability pressures, the State

Government has recently:

Expanded Low & Mid-Rise Housing pathways
Introduced Housing Delivery Areas
Strengthened Transit-Oriented Development
Created new Medium Density Housing standards
Signalled a move toward faster approvals and more as-of-right pathways

In short: the planning landscape is shifting from managing growth to enabling it.

More housing in well-located areas is now a policy priority. That means zoning is evolving to support gentle density, mixed-use neighbourhoods, and better access to services and transport .

Can Zoning Change?

Yes — zoning is not fixed forever.

It can change through:

Council-led LEP amendments
State-led rezonings and housing reforms
Planning proposals submitted by landowners and developers

However, rezonings are deeply technical and involve formal assessment, exhibition, and justification — including infrastructure, design and environmental considerations.

This is where professional planning advice is critical.

What It Means for Landowners & Developers

If you’re looking to develop or invest, understanding zoning early can save you enormous time and money.

We help clients:

✅ Identify the highest and best use for their land
✅ Assess feasibility under current and emerging controls
✅ Navigate approvals, SEPPs, LEPs and council requirements
✅ Prepare and manage planning proposals
✅ Advocate for sensible zoning and design outcomes

Whether it's a dual occ, a mixed-use project, or a strategic site, the zoning framework is step one — and it’s becoming more dynamic and opportunity-rich as reforms roll out.

Final Thought

Zoning isn’t just a technical mechanism — it’s a tool that shapes the kind of city we live in. Getting it right means creating more walkable, connected, affordable, sustainable communities where people of all generations can thrive.

At Sky Planning, we help clients navigate zoning complexity with clarity and strategy — so good development can happen, and our cities can grow with vision and purpose.

If you’d like expert advice on your site or project, we’d love to help.

Book a site strategy session or get in touch today.

Third Spaces: The Living Rooms of a Sustainable City

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 07:45:05 GMT

Third Spaces: The Living Rooms of a Sustainable City

Sky Planning featured on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio for Saturday Breakfast talking Third Spaces in Sydney.. which are important community builders. Listen to the interview and read about the why Third Spaces matter below.

When we think about cities, most of us picture two main spaces: home and work. But what about the third?

Third spaces are the public or communal places that sit outside of home (the first place) and work (the second place). They’re the plazas, the parks, the swimming spots, the community lounges, and even the corner cafés where people linger without pressure to buy or move on.

The best third spaces make you feel comfortable, safe and welcome—like community living rooms. They’re the places where we bump into neighbours, share a glance or a laugh with strangers, or settle in for a chat with friends. They encourage lingering, connection and serendipity. And in many ways, they’re where the magic of society happens.

Why Third Spaces Matter

The evidence is clear: communities with strong social ties are healthier, happier and more resilient. People who know and trust their neighbours are more likely to help each other out in times of stress—whether that’s a storm, a pandemic, or simply lending a cup of sugar.

But here’s the kicker:

Loneliness is more dangerous than obesity and as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

According to the 2024 Little BIG Social Connect Report (prepared with Social Ventures Australia), 46% of Australians have no regular contact with anyone outside their home .

A staggering 22% of Millennials say they don’t have a single friend .

Third spaces are one of the strongest antidotes to this crisis of loneliness. Neuroscience even tells us that face recognition works at 50–70 metres, and at 25 metres we can pick up expressions and details. Those glances and fleeting acknowledgements in shared spaces are not trivial—they reduce loneliness and increase our sense of belonging.

And in a city like Sydney, where the cost of living is so high, communal spaces that don’t require a monetary transaction are essential. Everyone deserves a place to connect, without needing to buy a ticket or a flat white.

How Does Sydney Score?

Sydney’s record on third spaces is a mixed bag. Some neighbourhoods are rich with plazas, playgrounds and swimming spots; others feel starved of places to simply be.

That said, things are improving. Government has placed renewed focus on public space and, importantly, equitable and safe access to the harbour—our city’s most iconic natural feature. Every Sydneysider should be able to enjoy it, regardless of postcode or income.

Some exciting examples:

Marrinawi Cove, Barangaroo (opened 2023): The first new harbour swimming location west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 50 years. A sandstone-edged cove with a shark net enclosure and shower facilities, perfect for a quick dip in the heart of the city.
Callan Park Tidal Baths, Iron Cove (due 2026): A $3.8 million swimming spot with ramps, pontoons and shark net protection, integrated beautifully into parkland.

And beyond the water, private developers are stepping up too. The Flour Mill in Summer Hill is a standout: hundreds of apartments built right on the light rail line, alongside a beautiful plaza, playground, and community room. The space is buzzing—proof that density and great third spaces go hand-in-hand.

How Do We Plan For Them?

The best third spaces aren’t always the most expensive. Often, they come from bold but simple experiments.

Take my local area, Canada Bay. In Drummoyne, council spotted two little-used streets and trialled a transformation using tactical urbanism: planters, barriers, and temporary furniture. Residents were invited to give feedback, and while a few grumbled about lost car spaces, most loved it.

The trial was so successful that council made it permanent—landscaped seating, shaded spots, even a table tennis table. My 10-year-old and I are there most weekends, coffee in hand, rallying over the net alongside our neighbours.

It’s a living example of how quick, low-cost trials can shift community culture. Test it, listen, learn, then build it properly.

Designing the Living Rooms of Society

Third spaces are more than “nice-to-haves.” They are the living rooms of society, places that nurture wellbeing, inclusion and resilience. Whether it’s a harbour pool, a plaza in Summer Hill, or a reimagined laneway in Drummoyne, these spaces help weave the social fabric that makes cities equitable and sustainable.

As Sydney grows denser, the role of third spaces will only become more important. If we want a city where everyone belongs, we must design for it—because where we gather, we grow.

�� At Sky Planning, we’re passionate about creating communities that thrive. Get in touch if you’d like to talk about how third spaces can transform your project.

Sky Planning supports Hark Angel

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 02:02:08 GMT

Building Futures, Not Just Buildings

We believe good planning should do more than build cities — it should build futures.

At Sky Planning, we believe that building thriving communities goes far beyond zoning and approvals — it’s about creating places where people have the opportunity to grow, connect, and reach their potential.

As town planners, we help shape the urban fabric of Australia. But we also recognise that not every community has access to even the most basic infrastructure — where access to education is still a privilege, not a given.

That’s why we proudly support Hark Angel , a registered Australian charity with a bold mission: to build 100 schools in some of the world’s poorest and most remote communities.

So far, they’ve built 11 schools — giving over 3,000 children access to education, opportunity, and a safer future.

Why Hark Angel Matters to Us

Our work in property and planning is grounded in a belief that built environments have the power to improve lives. Every planning proposal, every strategy, every approval process — it all points toward the same outcome: giving people the infrastructure and opportunity to thrive. That’s the very same belief that underpins Hark Angel’s work.

Whether it’s a school in Cambodia or a housing project in Sydney, good planning is about creating pathways — to education, to safety, to connection, and to dignity. Hark Angel is doing this at a grassroots level in places where basic infrastructure doesn’t yet exist — and we are honoured to back that mission.

Our commitment

In January 2024, our Director Melissa Neighbour proudly joined the Hark Angel Board , bringing Sky Planning's values of sustainability, equity, and impact into this global mission.

Now, we're excited to go even further. We're deepening our commitment through their corporate sponsorship program . For Quarter 3 of 2025, Sky Planning will donate 5% of all profits to Hark Angel, directly funding the construction of new schools and helping more children access education.

Join Us in Building What Matters

We want our clients and partners to be part of this journey. Here’s how:

1. �� Built-In Giving

Just by engaging Sky Planning for your project, you’re contributing — no extra steps needed. We're donating 5% of all our profits in Q3 of this year to Hark Angel. It's our way of saying thank you for choosing Sky Planning, while supporting our favourite charity.

2. ✈️ Take It Further — Come With Us

Add your company to the Corporate Sponsorship program before September 2025 and you and your team will be invited to take part in something truly special:

An immersive visit to a completed Hark Angel school in Cambodia , accompanied by Hark Angel’s founder and the Sky Planning team. Meet the students, see the impact firsthand, and witness what your contribution helped make possible.

Places are limited, reach out for further information.

Planning is about shaping the future. And the most powerful future we can shape is one where every child, everywhere, gets the chance to learn, grow, and lead. We’re honoured to walk alongside Hark Angel in making that future possible. Let’s build with purpose — together.

The proposed NCC 2025 waterproofing and water shedding provisions

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:40:29 GMT

NCC 2025: Fixing Leaks Shouldn’t Break the System

At Sky Planning, we’ve been closely following the impressive advocacy work of the Australasian Concrete Repair & Remedial Building Association (ACRA) , particularly around the proposed NCC 2025 waterproofing and water shedding provisions .

Why? Because these reforms—if not amended—could quietly unleash major disruption across NSW’s already overstretched planning system. And the consequences for owners of existing Class 2 strata buildings could be significant.

What’s the issue?

Under the proposed NCC 2025, even small-scale remedial work —like re-waterproofing a balcony—could now require a full Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Development Application (DA) .

That’s right. A straightforward maintenance task that might have previously taken six weeks and cost around $50,000 could now require planners, designers, full documentation, and council or certifier sign-off—dragging out timelines to over 12 months and pushing costs north of $200,000 .

ACRA has modelled these impacts in a detailed paper you can find here . I strongly encourage anyone involved in planning, certification, development or strata management to take a look.

The knock-on effects

These changes will place significant strain on owners’ corporations , who already face tight budgets and time-sensitive repair needs. Prolonged delays can also expose them to legal liabilities —like damages claims for loss of rent—while awaiting CDC or DA approval.

We’re also facing a compliance gap . The reforms will require performance solutions that many design professionals may not yet be trained to deliver. At the same time, there’s uncertainty among local councils and certifiers about how these approvals should be assessed—adding further complexity, delays, and cost.

And it’s not just strata owners who will feel the pressure. The ripple effects will hit across the board:

Remedial contractors
Private certifiers
Town planners
Local authorities
And ultimately, housing supply

The planning system is already stretched

Let’s not forget: NSW already has the longest DA assessment timeframes in the country . And a staggering 91% of residential DAs are for small-scale alterations, additions, and missing-middle housing.

The system is already clogged with small projects.
The last thing it needs is to be further overwhelmed with maintenance applications for waterproofing and minor repairs.

In a housing crisis, priorities matter

We are in the middle of a severe housing shortage. Our planning system should be laser-focused on unlocking supply—particularly high-impact, multi-residential development. We cannot afford to waste capacity on process-heavy applications for basic remedial works.

So, what needs to happen?

The Building Commission has confirmed that the adoption of NCC 2025 has been delayed in NSW . This gives us a window of opportunity—but we must use it wisely.

We need an urgent, cross-sector stakeholder consultation process , led by the Commission, to:

Fully understand the implications of NCC 2025 on existing buildings
Identify practical solutions
And ensure remedial works can be delivered without clogging up the planning system

Now’s the time to speak up.

✅ Share this blog post

✅ Tag the Building Commission NSW

Let’s not flood the planning system with DAs and CDCs for waterproofing.

Let’s fix the leaks—without breaking the system.

AI in the Land and Environment Court: New Guidelines for Legal Practitioners

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 03:00:51 GMT

AI in the Land and Environment Court: New Guidelines for Legal Practitioners

In November 2024, several NSW courts released a practice note addressing the use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). Recently, the NSW Court introduced a new Practice Note on Generative AI, effective 12 February 2025.

This guidance clarifies the permissible use of AI in court proceedings while addressing its potential risks associated with its use in the NSW legal system.

Key takeaways from the guidelines:

Permitted Uses: AI may assist with administrative tasks like summarising documents, generating chronologies, and drafting legal submissions, provided all citations and legal references are verified.

Prohibited Uses: AI cannot be used for drafting affidavits, expert reports, witness statements, or confidential/suppressed material unless explicit court approval is obtained. Any AI-generated case law, legislation, or references must be manually verified—AI cannot be relied upon alone. AI must not draft expert reports unless prior leave of the Court is obtained, and it must be disclosed in the report.

Affidavits, witness statements, character references should contain and reflect a person’s own knowledge, not AI-generated content.

Risks Identified: The Court warns against AI hallucinations (false citations), data privacy breaches, and biased outputs, reinforcing the responsibility of legal professionals to ensure accuracy of information and ethical compliance.

Remember that any data entered may be stored and used to train the AI model. This could inadvertently expose confidential or sensitive information to other users, posing significant privacy and security risks.

This marks a significant step in balancing AI innovation with legal integrity in NSW court proceedings.

Stay informed as the guidelines evolve!

You can access the LEC practice note via this link

Introducing Propinion

melissa@skyplanning.com.au (Melissa Neighbour) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 04:35:42 GMT

Uniting the Industry to Resolve Ambiguity in Planning & Building Legislation

We’re introducing a collaboration between Ballast Point and Sky Planning aimed at clearing up the confusion that plagues the entire property industry.

The problem

Working as an expert in the NSW property and planning industry goes hand in hand with navigating a legislative landscape filled with rules, regulations, and policies. While these frameworks aim to create structure and fairness, they sometimes leave room for interpretation—grey areas where legislation is unclear or conflicting.

Whether it's differing definitions of a term in council versus state legislation, or nuanced discrepancies in the Building Code, these ambiguities often lead to inefficiencies, disputes, and unnecessary delays.

As professionals, we've all experienced those moments when a simple question turns into a complex debate, impacting projects and people alike.

It's often not until a matter becomes case law that the industry achieves clarity. But we think that's just too late in the development process.

That’s why we created Propinion.

Why We’re Doing This

Ballast Point and Sky Planning see these issues daily. They slow approvals, affect projects, create needless disputes, and drive up expenses. Rather than wait for case law to provide clarity (usually after problems escalate), we believe in tackling these grey areas preemptively, so the entire planning industry can benefit.

Introducing Propinion

We’re launching Propinion to gather real-life scenarios where the rules aren’t clear and to work together on practical solutions. By pooling expertise from respected architects, planners, certifiers, builders, specialist consultants and lawyers, we aim to identify why these gaps occur, find consensus in interpretation and share this in a central repository that is easily accessible and user friendly.

How It Works

Identify Real Cases : Share situations where the planning law or code leave too much room for interpretation.
Review & Discuss : Respected Experts provide an opinion as to interpretation.
Publish Guidance : We compile these insights into clear, actionable reference points to help guide the industry.

In short, Propinion is here to create clarity, improve efficiency, and unify the NSW property and planning community.

Get Involved

We can’t do it alone though, and we’re calling on professionals like you to join us.

Whether you have a story to share about navigating legislative grey areas, want to provide expert insight, or simply have ideas to improve the system, your input is invaluable.

Let’s build a future where clarity replaces confusion, and collaboration defines our industry. If you’re ready to make a difference, reach out, share your experiences, and become part of the Propinion community today. Together, we can transform the way we approach planning and property development in NSW.

Share Your Experiences via our 3-minute form.
Offer Your Expertise to review and clarify common roadblocks.
Stay in the Loop by signing up for our mailing list.

For questions or more details, email info@skyplanning.com.au.

Let’s tackle the grey areas together—and build a planning framework with improved clarity and certainty.

Subdividing in NSW – a basic overview

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 05:36:59 GMT

Know the planning controls and site constraints

The key planning factors to be considered when looking to subdivide land is firstly the zoning of the land and then site-specific restrictions. In NSW, the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) prescribes whether land within a particular zone can be subdivided. If the zone allows subdivision, the LEP will set out minimum lot size standards for subdivision. The prescribed Minimum Lot Size specify the minimum size that an existing lot must meet in order to be subdivided, as well as the minimum size for newly created lots.

Site -specific restrictions to consider include topography, bushfire prone status, flood prone status, ecological constraints, contaminated land constraints, if it has heritage status and others. These restrictions can prevent a site from being subdivided, or can affect the lot design and the manner in which a subdivision takes place, even if the zoning and LEP controls allow.

The most certain way of knowing Council’s planning controls for a site is by requesting a certificate called a 10.7 Certificate ( previously known as a Section 149 Certificate ).

If the lot does not meet the Minimum Lot Size standard or the proposed subdivision cannot meet the minimum size for a new lot, it’s a not necessarily a hard no. The NSW planning system provides some flexibility in planning controls by providing the ability for a council to vary development standards in certain circumstances. This requires a developer to make a written application to vary a development standard under Clause 4.6 of an environmental planning instrument when lodging the development application. It must demonstrate that compliance with that development standard is unreasonable or unnecessary in the circumstances of the case.

However, there are some restrictions where clause 4.6 cannot be enacted and it is advised you visit the NSW planning website (http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au) for more specific information.

If you are not familiar with working with planning controls, it is recommended to engage the services of a town planners and/or surveyor who can help you determine the development potential of the land.

Engage a professional team for development approval process

Once it has been determined that land can be subdivided, you will need to a engage a surveyor and town planner. The consulting surveyor will carry out a detailed survey of the land and then prepare the plan of subdivision which your town planner will ensure complies with all development standards.

It is considered good practice to have a pre-lodgement meeting with the local Council. All consultants involved in preparing the development application should attend the meeting including your town planner and others where relevant such as an ecologist or bushfire specialist. The outcome of this meeting will be a list of items prepared by council which need to be addressed when preparing the development application for submission to Council.

Once approved, Council will issue a development consent setting out the total of Council's required contributions with a list of conditions to be completed before Council endorses the subdivision plan. These conditions may relate to provision of water supply, access, power or any item Council considers important. Your consulting planner will explain the development consent to you and point out any particular items which are especially important for you to understand. When the construction of civil works are complete, and the conditions of the development consent have been met, the next step is the Subdivision Certificate application phase.

Obtain your Subdivision Certificate and register with the Land Titles Office

At this stage, the “linen” plan is prepared by the surveyor and submitted to Council for their approval. Council make an assessment of whether all conditions of the development consent have been met to their satisfaction. Once the Council has endorsed its certificate on the subdivision plan and all interested parties have signed it, the Surveyor can have the plan lodged at the Land Titles Office on your behalf. The plan will become registered and title documents issued. The new subdivision is now complete and you are able to transfer ownership of the new lots.

The Main Costs

The main costs involved are the development application costs, constructions costs, infrastructure contributions and plan sealing charges.

Minimum costs for even a minor subdivision can start around $80,000. So while subdivision is one strategy that is great for quick equity gains, it also risky and highly complex.

As an industry standard, $80K / lot is a common budget estimate.

First Steps

You should always do two things to reduce risk:

1. Due diligence and upfront planning where you gather as much information as possible about your site before beginning; and

2. Seek professional help so you don’t make mistakes and can make a greater profit in the long run.

At Sky Planning we can assist you through every stage of the subdivision process - from site acquisition to registration with the Land Titles office.

Third Spaces in Sydney

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 02:35:22 GMT

Last month our director Melissa Neighbour, was quoted in an article on Third Spaces in the Sydney Morning Herald .

So what are Third Spaces?

They are important community anchors. Successful public spaces, like plazas and neighbourhood squares encourage lingering and interaction, they allow for incidental encounters as well as daily rituals like catching up with our neighbours.

Most importantly, they give the community a space in which everyone is invited to participate and belong.

Third spaces enable deep social bonds to develop, allowing us to experience a sense of purpose through being part of a community. They are the mechanism for building the kind of economic and social fabric that keeps communities healthy, happy and resilient.

We'd love to hear about the Third Spaces in your city that you love! Shoot us a message on our instagram.

Top 100 Women in Construction Winner

Mon, 15 May 2023 02:27:02 GMT

Congratulations to Sky Planning Director, Melissa Neighbour who was named a Winner in the Top 100 Women in Construction for 2023

As the Top 100 Women organisation rightly said of all the brilliant and deserving winners, their “commitment to excellence and dedication to driving positive change is truly inspiring, and we’re so excited to be supporting the achievements of amazing women in the construction industry”.

The complete list of 2023's Top 100 Women in Construction is available to view via https://lnkd.in/gtFsqDNC

Ever wondered why they are called Blueprints?

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 02:20:40 GMT

Before AutoCAD there were blueprints!

The cyanotype (blueprint) process was used in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries before being replaced by what we use in our office today - Autodesk’s AutoCAD.

Cyanotypes are a camera-less alternative photographic process, they are also referred to as 'blueprints' and the word originates from the Greek word Cyan, meaning dark blue impression. It is a non-silver photo printing method that produces a Prussian Blue print.

Architects and Engineers in the 19th and 20th century used the process as a simple and low cost method of reproducing copies of architectural drawings before the invention of photocopier.

The English Scientist, Astronomer and Botanist Sir John Herschel discovered the process in 1942. He was classed as a bit of a scientific superstar of his time. Photography had been discovered about 3 years previously but it was an expensive process. Through his experimentations he developed a process called Cyanotype, the birth of blueprinting.

It was fascinating to learn that no blue dye is used in the proce ss!

It was great to learn this historical process from our industry firsthand and use it to create art.

Thanks to artist Lisa Shepard for running an outstanding 1 day workshop!

TEDx Vision of the New Future Beyond 2020

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 01:59:26 GMT

During the 2020 Covid Lockdowns, I gave a talk for the TEDxMelbourne PluggedIn event.

The brief was to share my “Vision of the New Future Beyond 2020" in 3 mins.

I believe walkable cities are going to be a part of our future, and I’m a huge advocate for them, but not only for the reasons we usually talk about. Sure, there are health benefits for people and it’s great for the environment, as well as boosting our economy.

But something else UNEXPECTED happens when we start living a walkable lifestyle.... spontaneity gets a chance. When you live in a spontaneous city, you are city-skiing!

Spontaneous cities move us from a state of doing , to one of being , and that is when we are most productive, creative and fulfilled self!

Check out the recording of my talk to discover more!

~ Melissa

What applications have been lodged in my local area?

Fri, 07 May 2021 01:44:10 GMT

Do you want to stay informed about developments proposed in your local area?

A third party provider, PlanningAlerts provides a free service which searches planning authority websites for development applications in your area and then emails you their details.

It could not be simpler, you sign up to the service, specify the location you are interested in and then if any applications are lodged in this area you are sent an email.

You can view the applications on a map or even subscribe to a RSS feed.

PlanningAlerts is brought to you by the charity the OpenAustralia Foundation . The aim of the service is to enable shared scrutiny of what is being built and knocked down in peoples' communities.

Information on how to subscribe can be found on the Planning Alerts webpage.

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions about development applications, visit our contact page to get in touch with our team.

Reimagining our city streets

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 05:51:33 GMT

A walkable city is a liveable, sustainable, healthy and happy city!!!

As an avid champion of cities designed for people not cars, I am revelling in the lack of cars on my neighbourhood streets. As a result of the lockdowns for COVID-19, and the restriction of all non essential travel, there are far fewer trips being made by cars. The streets in my neighbourhood aren’t completely empty and quiet however, in fact they feel more alive than ever.

Along the route I take for my daily jog, I usually have to contend with dangerous traffic, polluted air, disturbing noises and very rarely would I see many people along the way.

These days though, it’s a far brighter experience. I see lots of people out and about enjoying the outdoors, most ready to flash you a smile – no doubt craving any form of social connection! I see neighbours chatting in front of their houses spilling out onto streets. Around the bay section that I run, people are using the streets lining the footpath in order to maintain the necessary 1.5m distance. All totally possible now without cars ruling the roads. It warms my heart!

It reminded me of a festival I attended while on a sabbatical in Bolivia called Dia de Peaton Or Pedestrian Day . It’s held four times a year, in Cochabamba, a city of 1 million people, and for the entire day all cars, motorbikes, buses and taxis are banned from driving in the streets. Instead, the streets are opened up for pedestrians, cyclists and all sorts of fun activities, games and stalls.

The government started the event with the aim to raise awareness of the environment and the negative impact of noise and air pollution from cars.

I remember it felt quite liberating to be able to walk all over the streets without having to look left and right all the time, or constantly being worried about cars racing past. And it was almost somewhat of a relief to not hear the incessant sound of car horns that usually filled the air.

The streets were literally transformed into playgrounds with street performers, dance floors, and pop-up cafes. The streets were packed with people who were making the most of the opportunity to roam free!! It felt like the citizens of Cochabamba were out to celebrate their love for their city. There was a real sense of community about the day. That’s what I am starting to feel here and now in my home town of Sydney.

Streets are like the lifeblood of a community, but when cars rule the roads it stops the flow of connection between residents; instead streets end up segregating and isolating people from one another.

Our streets have the remarkable capacity to interconnect people with one another. With cars removed, I’ve seen the streets stitch the urban fabric of my neighbourhood back together and reunite the segregated flow of people and nature.

Our streets have the remarkable capacity to interconnect people with one another.

The radical changes that’ve been enforced upon us, have turned our daily routines on their head. Our old car-dependant habits, which have left us isolated and less healthy, have been replaced by new rituals like catching up with our neighbours and exploring our local streets and public spaces. The forced lockdown has enabled us to discover different ways of being and we’ve experienced the benefits as a result. Once the pandemic is over, lets hope what we’ve learnt encourages us to maintain these new habits and think twice before we reengage in car travel.

One city that is going to make that easier for its citizens is Milan . The city has announced that 35km of streets will be reallocated from cars, to pedestrians and cyclists on a trial basis.

During the Covid-19 crisis, the city has seen traffic congestion and air pollution drop significantly. In an effort to see this continue, Marco Granelli, a deputy mayor of Milan, said: “we want to reopen the economy, but we think we should do it on a different basis from before.”

While it is only on a trial basis over the European summer, there’s proof it can be successful. We can look to the Spanish town of Pontevedra , which is a long-standing example of the positive outcomes that can happen when streets are handed over to people. The town was pedestrianised in 2000 and since then they have seen deaths from traffic accidents drop to zero in 2009, CO2 emissions drop by 70% and small businesses and the economy flourish.

Despite the devastating consequences of COVID-19, there have been some curiously positive ones. Let’s hope that when these dark times are over, the positive changes we’ve experienced, result in lasting changes. It's time our streets are reimagined and repurposed to serve people and nature, to reunite and strengthen neighbourhoods everywhere.

melissaneighbour-skyplanningcomau

Understanding Land Zoning in NSW: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

As planners, zoning is our daily language. But for most people, it’s a maze of letters, clauses and maps. So let’s break it down.

What is Land Zoning?

Where Do the Rules Come From?

Why Zoning Matters

How Zoning Is Changing in NSW

Can Zoning Change?

What It Means for Landowners & Developers

Final Thought

Third Spaces: The Living Rooms of a Sustainable City

Third Spaces: The Living Rooms of a Sustainable City

Why Third Spaces Matter

How Does Sydney Score?

How Do We Plan For Them?

Designing the Living Rooms of Society

Sky Planning supports Hark Angel

Building Futures, Not Just Buildings

The proposed NCC 2025 waterproofing and water shedding provisions

AI in the Land and Environment Court: New Guidelines for Legal Practitioners

AI in the Land and Environment Court: New Guidelines for Legal Practitioners

Key takeaways from the guidelines:

Introducing Propinion

Uniting the Industry to Resolve Ambiguity in Planning & Building Legislation

The problem

Why We’re Doing This

Introducing Propinion

Get Involved

Subdividing in NSW – a basic overview

Know the planning controls and site constraints

Third Spaces in Sydney

So what are Third Spaces?

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Top 100 Women in Construction Winner

Congratulations to Sky Planning Director, Melissa Neighbour who was named a Winner in the Top 100 Women in Construction for 2023

Ever wondered why they are called Blueprints?

Before AutoCAD there were blueprints!

TEDx Vision of the New Future Beyond 2020

What applications have been lodged in my local area?

Do you want to stay informed about developments proposed in your local area?

Reimagining our city streets

A walkable city is a liveable, sustainable, healthy and happy city!!!