PLANNING The planning controls for terrace houses are set out in Division 4 of the code and include requirements regarding lot size, building height, setbacks, landscaping and car parking. Any development undertaken as complying development must be consistent with the relevant criteria set out in the medium-density design guide, in addition to the requirements of the code. Related amendments to the Subdivision Code (Part 6) of the Codes SEPP will allow for either Strata title or Torrens title subdivision of low-rise medium-density housing issued under a complying development certificate either after completion with the construction of the development or concurrently. Torrens title subdivision of a dual occupancy must result in either the creation of a lot that is 60 per cent of the area of the minimum lot size for dual occupancy in the relevant LEP or, if no minimum size is specified, 200 square-metres. In respect of the subdivision of a terrace housie development, each lot must be at least 200 square-metres. More information about the new code and the design guide can be found on the A REQUIREMENT OF THE Coastal Management Act 2016 Department of Planning and Environment CODE IS THAT TWO NEW website: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/ The new Coastal Management Act 2016 Policy-ad-egslation/Housing/Medium- TREES WILL NEED TO BE commenced on 3 April 2018 following Density-Housing PLANTED ON THE SITE, the repeal of the Coastal Protection Act ONE AT THE FRONT OF THE 1979. Also commencing on 3 April 2018 Greenfield Housing Code DWELLING (CAPABLE OF was State Environmental Planning Policy (Coastal Management) 2018 which repealed A new complying development code for REACHING AT LEAST EIGHT SEPP 14 – Coastal Wetlands, SEPP 26 – Greenfield areas has been developed by the METRES AT MATURITY) Littoral Rainforests and SEPP 71 – Coastal Department of Planning and Environment AND ONE AT THE REAR... Protection. The new SEPP applies to all land in the ‘coastal zone’ along the entire and its provisions will commence on 6 July 2018. The code will deliver far more design A requirement of the code is that two NSW coast. flexibility than the current simplified housing new trees will need to be planted on The new legislation has abolished code and has been tailored specifically for the site, one at the front of the dwelling the NSW Coastal Panel with a new Greenfield housing areas. (capable of reaching at least eight metres Coastal Council who will provide advice The code will apply to land in Sydney at maturity) and one at the rear (capable of to the Minister on coastal planning and and regional NSW which has been reaching at least five metres at maturity). management issues. Under Part 3 of the identified on a series of maps prepared The requirement to plant the tress will be new Act, local councils within the coastal by the Department of Planning and included in the complying development zone will be required to submit coastal Environment and available on its website. certificate approval. management programs for certification and It will be possible to construct either a The Greenfield Housing Code will have adoption. A coastal management program one- or two-storey dwelling house or a three year transitional period whereby sets out the long-term strategy for the undertake alterations or additions to applicants can either use it or the General coordinated management of land within the existing dwelling houses, including a broad Housing Code. After 6 July 2021 only the coastal zone. range of ancillary development types. Greenfield Housing Code will be available in HIA supported the changes to the Act Development under the code can those areas identified as eligible to use the and the SEPP as they have been developed take place on land zoned R1, R2, R3, Greenfield Housing Code. to provide a more streamlined development R4 or RU5, as small as 200 square-metres More information about the new code process and certainty regarding decisions and with a minimum lot width of six can be found on the Department of impacting on the coastal zone. metres. Development under the code is Planning and Environment website: possible on bushfire-prone land or flood www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy- control lots, subject to meeting certain and-Legislation/Housing/Greenfield- Please contact Troy Loveday on stringent conditions. Housing-Code 02 9978 3342 or t.loveday@hia.com.au BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 3/2018P17