EP. 1473 State Government Green lights Bigger Builds: Councils Losing Control

In this Morning Minute episode, Michael Burgio and Mark Novak discuss major changes to development planning laws across NSW—specifically how the state government is overriding local councils to fast-track housing supply. The key focus is on the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway, which allows larger developments (over $75 million in build cost, roughly equating to 100+ units) to bypass local zoning restrictions for height and density. This is especially relevant in areas like Dee Why and Frenchs Forest, where previously unfeasible sites are now viable due to 30% density uplifts and expedited approval processes. These changes are seen as critical to unlocking long-stalled developments and addressing housing shortages, despite some concerns about increased traffic and infrastructure strain.

The discussion highlights that many sites zoned for higher density (like R3 areas) remained undeveloped due to tight controls and rising build costs—making projects financially unviable. With the SSD path, developers gain not only potential unit increases but faster DA approvals, reducing holding costs significantly. While 15% of any SSD uplift must be allocated to state-controlled housing, the remaining density and process improvements often make projects worthwhile. The duo advises landowners to understand whether their property qualifies under the SSD framework and directs viewers to previous episodes for deeper dives into site assessment and developer engagement strategies.