Facilitating the delivery of additional housing while maintaining the liveability and amenity of our communities is a critical issue facing Local, State and Federal governments. On 10 November, the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) hosted the "Doing Density Well Forum" to consider the housing crisis and opportunities for collaboration.
The event brought together Mayors and Councillors from across the region along with The Hon. Paul Scully, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Local MPs, and industry leaders. Attendees engaged with a panel of experts who provided insights on the planning system from the practitioner, property industry and social housing perspective.
NSROC continued to call for development that preserves heritage, is sustainable, considers traffic impacts and maintains tree canopy. A well-planned built environment allows communities to grow while maintaining their unique character.
NSROC also called for the NSW Government to implement a clear vision for housing through a strategic plan, avoiding ad-hoc, reactive proposals. They asked that increased density be accompanied by affordable housing in perpetuity.
Attendees considered how well-designed density can contribute to the liveability and well-being of communities.
CEO of Place Score Kylie Legge was clear. "We don't just need a target number of dwellings. We also need to deliver the whole ecosystem of a good neighbourhood: community wellbeing, infrastructure and local amenity."
Attendees discussed the need to ensure that increased density is accompanied by essential infrastructure including schools, green space and waste facilities.
Panellists, including Professor Maria Kangas (Head of the School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University) and David Morrissey (Health Promotion at Northern Sydney Local Health District), discussed the impact of nature connection and urban environments on mental and physical well-being.
NSROC President, Mayor Tanya Taylor highlighted that "Thriving communities depend on the delivery of high-quality local services be it libraries, roads or recreation facilities. Councils will continue to work with other levels of government to facilitate housing supply alongside the infrastructure and services our communities need and expect, now and into the future".
