September 2013 September Issue No. 96 Issue new planner Adding up the numbers Demographics Sydney Metropolitan Strategy Contents IssueThis 83 issue contents Guest Editorial - Rose Saltman 4 Telecommunications: essential plank in NSW infrastructure strategy 24 President’s Message 5 The feasibility of housing in Executive Officer’s Report 6 green field areas 25 Planning Perspectives 7 Healthy Built Environments 26 Norton Rose Fulbright Review 8 PlannerTech 27 Infrastructure Matters 9 Inbox 27 In the Courts 11 International Snippets 28 Sea change, tree change or no change 12 NSW Consulting Planners 29 International migration of regional NSW 14 No Monorail? Walk Darling Drive 30 Sydney shapes its future 16 Working for community wellbeing in Sydney 31 More than numbers 18 BasePlan 32 Opinion - John Freeman 20 In the news 34 Opinion - Ian Bowie 21 Snapped 35 Population forecasting and long term strategic planning 22 Editorial Team Nicole Philps Brigitte Buchholz Andrew Wheeler Robyn Vincin Each quarter New Planner invites a Guest Editor to comment Editorial on the theme of that issue. NSW Executive Officer PO Box 484, North Sydney NSW 2059 Contributors Suite 3, 221 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060 Deadline for December 2013 edition is: Tel: 02 8904 1011 Fax: 02 8904 1133 Friday 1 November 2013. The theme for December 2013 issue Email: [email protected] is “The year in review” Email: [email protected] The views expressed in New Planner Design and Production are those of the authors and do not Nationwide Advertising Group necessarily reflect the views of the Tel: 02 9955 4777 Fax 02 9955 7055 Planning Institute of Australia. Email: [email protected] Cover Photo: Brigitte Buchholz Subscriptions 2013 New Planner is available on subscription to non members of PIA NSW at a cost of $88 per annum,GST inclusive. Email: [email protected] ISSN 1324-8669 PP a233-867-00015 newplanner | SEPTEMBER 2013 | 3 Guest Editorial Rose Saltman MPIA Urban and social planner, director of RM Planning Pty Ltd who are leaving Sydney and the particular to consumers. Ray Williams explores the qualities of destinations in NSW to which need to work smarter with infrastructure, they are attracted. Through the provision citing the example of incorporating parts of incentives, governments can influence of sensitive riparian corridors into private the direction of migration flows. Simon ownership, with benefits to both the Massey discusses how Federal and State environment and land owner. Government programs to address skills Technological change will continue to play shortages have resulted in spatial population a key role in any infrastructure strategy. shifts to regional areas. Rodney Jensen suggests that the economic 2013 has been a big year for change in benefits of the National Broadband NSW with the release of the government’s Network (NBN) – which will support more White Paper and draft exposure bill for flexible work routines from home offices a new planning system, as well as a new or dedicated hobs – have yet to be fully Welcome to the September edition Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney. canvassed but will extend at least to reduced of New Planner and its topic, adding Bob Meyer’s retrospective on Sydney’s long traffic congestion, air pollution, energy use up the numbers. The themes of term planning initiatives over the past 100 years and road accidents. this topic – economics, growth and gives pause for reflection while Norma Shankie- Joanne McNeill and Ingrid Burkett suggest demographics – embody one of the Williams homes in on some of the challenges for that social impact assessment (SIA) has key challenges that face a planner Sydney’s future such as creating more than half the potential to move beyond its current throughout his or her professional a million new homes and jobs across the Region, application as a negative screening tool life: how to deal with change. and integrating growth with infrastructure and to one that explores how positive social transport to provide a denser, more connected impacts – or the creation of shared value Understanding what characterises and city – and liveable - city. - can be generated through planning and motivates communities helps us get a The current high cost of developing land development. Shared value involves creating handle on how cities and regions evolve. for housing is a key theme of the White economic value in a way that also creates Kim Johnstone notes that migration – one Paper which has introduced the notion value for society by addressing its needs and of the most important drivers of change – of contestable infrastructure for the challenges. This involves a quantum shift in can occur very quickly, with different types development of growth infrastructure.1 A key SIA thinking and one which, in my opinion, is of migration offsetting each other. Byron objective of this policy is to ensure that the worth exploring further n Kemp, comparing data from the 2006 and provision of such infrastructure offers the 1NSW Government A New Planning System 2011 Census, focusses on some of the best value to the government and, ultimately, for NSW Chapter 7 April 2013 demographic characteristics of people 4 | SEPTEMBER 2013 | newplanner President’s message Sarah Hill, President PIA NSW Division editorial how all of the numbers ‘added up’ whilst by the NSW profession, at this year’s PIA genuinely communicating to the community what Local Government Forum we will be hearing the trade-offs were for all planning scenarios. from the Deputy Director General of the This related to the need to not replicate the poor Department of Planning and Infrastructure, culture of previous planning reforms which far Jill Reich regarding the Department’s progress from ‘simplifying’ the system had in fact led to on the topic and the work the Department has greater misunderstanding and a lack of trust. been doing in conjunction with PIA NSW. To avoid reverting back into old traps or the I have also been discussing culture change ‘business as usual’ mode in NSW I was recently with local government planners who have quoted as highlighting the importance of doing shared with me the many wonderful initiatives our homework to truly understand the details they are already implementing. I am hoping of the proposed new planning system. By doing we can build on this strong base and share It is funny how some things resonate our analysis as leaders in the industry we would experiences during the Local Government with you and stick in your mind. For ensure the correct information was passed on Forum in Mudgee this month. me one such thing was a simple and as opposed to the misguided opinions of some I So in closing, whilst we are on the verge of the succinct comment made by a member have heard preach on the topic. exposure Bill being tabled in Parliament, in my some 18 months ago regarding By getting our facts right, we would also mind the journey is only beginning. planning reform. This PIA member ensure that when advising others or debating I have counselled that for the culture change simply stated that in the process of the parameters of the new system we would agenda to be successful, we have a minimum designing the new Act and reforming continue to consider the bigger picture within 10 year journey ahead of us. In fact others the NSW Planning System, we needed a framework of education and engagement. believe that changing the culture in NSW to be careful that we do not replicate In the spirit of these thoughts, your PIA Committee requires a generational change. Either way the problems of the existing system. has continued to proactively implement PIA the journey will be more akin to a marathon NSW’s action list for culture change with great than a sprint and consequently I believe This struck a chord with me and the importance support from a wide range of affiliated industry we should take the time to reflect, discuss of not replicating a ‘quick fix’ culture that sought and stakeholder groups. Of note, the importance of and ensure that we give these monumental to create band aid solutions to legislation and culture change was recognised in the State budget changes the consideration they deserve. After practice. It also resonated with the need to this year and is gaining notable traction more all we want to be sure we get this new system establish a culture that did not rely on hearsay broadly in PIA with the national ‘Planning Matters’ right – rather than work hard to default back from the loudest voice but was based on evidence agenda being launched at National Congress. to the system we already have. and scenario analysis that sought to understand Building on the strong base established I look forward to catching up with you in Mudgeen newplanner | SEPTEMBER 2013 | 5 Executive Officer’s report Robyn Vincin, PIA NSW Executive Officer the latest in innovation, technology, new way of thinking about how we work. We ideas, cutting edge thinking, leadership have started working in conjunction with and engagement in the planning arena. The other associations, with the Department Congress website piacongress.com.au/ is and with other key stakeholders, to identify being regularly updated and we encourage training needs and potential partners in you to visit often. delivery of a professional development program into 2014. The Global Planners Network biennale congress will form part of the 2014 Of course, we will continue to run our Planning Congress. The Global Planners regular regional seminars and evening As we go to press with this issue of Network is a network of national planning events in the City. Hunter and Central New Planner, we are approaching the associations formed in order to facilitate Coast Planners, we’re aiming to bring an annual NSW Conference.