Property Council Hunter and Central Coast Regional Director Nuatali Nelmes said the Pattern Book puts good design front and centre - a crucial step toward lifting housing standards while helping meet demand in the region.
"This is about delivering better homes, not just more homes," Ms Nelmes said.
"The Pattern Book gives us architect-designed options that will elevate the quality of housing across our communities. We're ready to build - and these new tools will help us do it better and faster," Ms Nelmes said.
"From Newcastle's urban infill suburbs to new growth areas across Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Warnervale, pattern book designs offer practical, pre-approved options that make good design more affordable and easier to deliver."
The Pattern Book includes eight architect-led designs for terraces, townhouses and manor homes, now available for just $1 for the first six months. A dedicated fast-track Complying Development pathway will also commence from 30 July, reducing approval timeframes to as little as 10 days.
The Property Council played a key role in shaping the Pattern Book and supported the NSW Government Architect's 2024 regional engagement roadshow, including a well-attended Newcastle forum in August last year.
"This reform reflects genuine collaboration between industry and government, including deep engagement with our local development community here in the Hunter," Ms Nelmes said.
In August, NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin called out Newcastle as a standout candidate for expanded pattern book use - particularly in existing suburbs where there is already a mix of housing types.
"Newcastle has tremendous opportunity to use flexible pattern-book designs in both new subdivisions and infill locations," Ms Nelmes said.
"People want timeless, well-planned homes that fit in and function beautifully," Ms Nelmes said.
"It's not just about getting approvals faster, it's about lifting expectations and raising the standard for what low and medium density housing looks like," she said.
