NSW low and mid-rise housing reform - On Demand

This ACA NSW/ACT webinar provides exclusive insights into the NSW Government’s new Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy. Karl May discusses the importance of designing housing that integrates seamlessly with its urban context while meeting growing demand.

The NSW Government has launched its new Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy to address the ongoing housing crisis by enabling greater housing diversity and density in well-connected urban areas. The policy will allow for low and mid-rise developments within 800 metres of town centres and public transport hubs across Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Lower Hunter and Newcastle regions, and Illawarra-Shoalhaven. With the goal of delivering up to 112,000 new homes over the next five years, this policy aims to ease housing pressures in growing communities.

A key feature of the policy is its alignment with the NSW Government Architect’s Housing Pattern Book, which provides a suite of pre-approved, design-led housing typologies that meet high standards of liveability, sustainability and accessibility. By utilising the Pattern Book, developers and councils can access streamlined approval pathways – reducing planning delays and enabling faster project delivery. This initiative supports well-integrated design outcomes that enhance rather than detract from the character of existing neighbourhoods.

In this session, Karl May, Managing Director of Turner, explores how thoughtful design and strategic planning can unlock the potential of low and mid-rise housing. Drawing on Turner’s extensive experience, including their successful Forma & Contra development in Roselands, Karl will demonstrate how policy, design and urban context can align to create vibrant, community-focused housing.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights into how the NSW Government’s new housing policy, the Housing Pattern Book, and streamlined planning pathways that are set to transform residential development across the state.

OUR SPEAKER

Karl May is the Managing Director of Turner, a multidisciplinary design practice offering Urban Design, Architecture, Interior and Experiential Design services across Australia and internationally for over 25 years. The practice is driven by the belief that design should be accessible to everyone.

Karl is deeply engaged in all aspects of practice, including projects, people, business, and the broader political and regulatory landscape. In addition to his leadership role at Turner, he contributes actively to the industry through committee work, awards judging, panel participation and speaking engagements. He is known for his ability to critically interpret new initiatives and legislation, offering valuable insights into their potential impact and effectiveness.

COST

Completion of this 1 hour webinar series and submission of the self-checked assessment task will deliver 1 formal CPD point.

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding the statutory context of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
• Identifying where the policy applies
• Recognising exclusions, such as specific sites or areas where the policy does not apply
• Clarifying what the changes allow
• Understanding which planning controls still apply
• Introducing the Housing Pattern Book, including its purpose, structure, and the types of pre-approved housing typologies it includes
• Explaining the relationship between the Pattern Book and the Low and Mid-Rise reforms

AACA Competencies:

Practice Management & Professional Conduct – PC12
Project Initiation & Conceptual Design – PC19, PC20, PC32

Links will be provided for recording access and CPD questions. Please complete questions after viewing the webinar in its entirety. Certificates will be provided following online submission of answers to questions. Please keep your receipt, completed questions and certificate for your CPD records.

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