HAWKESBURY Council staff have confirmed they are considering asking to be exempt from the state government’s latest medium-density planning laws.
Last week, the state government announced the City of Ryde and City of Canterbury Bankstown would be given exemptions from planning laws which allow complying development for terrace houses, town houses and duplexes.
Complying development means as long as a house meets certain criteria, a private certifier, not a local council, can approve a house, or in this case multiple terrace houses, to be built on a block of land.
Ryde and Canterbury Bankstown secured exemptions from the state government because housing had out-paced infrastructure in the area. Other councils will be allowed to seek similar exemptions.
Hawkesbury Council manager of strategic planning Andrew Kearns told the Gazette that Council was considering it, and would seek further clarification from the state government before making any decision.
“Hawkesbury City Council is currently considering the matter, and is seeking clarification from the Department of Planning and Environment with respect to particular circumstances relevant to the Hawkesbury,” he said.
The state government’s policy was introduced in April, with the changes set to take effect in July.