The NSW housing market is under extreme pressure, with high demand and limited supply. This pressure is also increasing house prices, particularly in and around Sydney, which is impacting market accessibility.
To address this challenge, a variety of strategies are needed to support the delivery of more housing whilst also making it more affordable. One such strategy was launched by the NSW Government to help fast-track the approval of new homes with the NSW Housing Pattern Book.
What is the NSW Housing Pattern Book?
It contains a collection of patterns designed by award-winning architects and endorsed by the NSW Government Architect for terrace, townhouse and manor house designs. As these plans have been endorsed, they are eligible to be approved within ten days – significantly fast tracking the approval process.
Each of the designs can be adapted to suit individual preferences and requirements, including room formations and layouts. Upon purchase, each design includes a complementary landscape plan tailored to enhance biodiversity and suit the local climate.
The designs have also been created with energy efficiency in mind, being light-filled, cross-ventilated and all-electric to reduce energy bills and improve thermal comfort.
The patterns utilise standard construction systems familiar to builders which makes them easier and more affordable to build.
How will this support the housing crisis?
Standard approvals are notoriously complex, frequently resulting in extended timelines and unexpected delays. To have trusted, reliable and high-quality designs ready to go is a game-changer and will enable more houses to be built more quickly.
Priced affordably at $1,000, these designs make residential homebuilding more accessible. The Government estimates that this initiative will see the delivery of up to 112,000 homes over five years in low and medium density zones.
Initiatives such as this reduce red tape, and allow for the direct, immediate action essential to tackling housing challenges and driving meaningful change. Enabling greater diversity of dwelling types in areas such as Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Lower Hunter and Newcastle, and Illawarra-Shoalhaven will also support families from being priced out of these areas.
Considering a design from the NSW Housing Pattern Book?
BRS can provide preliminary advice on whether your site is suitable for this type of development and whether it will achieve the best use of your land.
If you decide to proceed with a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), our planners can prepare a complying development checklist for you to streamline this process.
Our team can also assist with detailed surveys, civil and stormwater designs and subdivision certification services.
