The urban renewal of centres is about building on the strengths of each place, transforming under-used or dilapidated areas, boosting local economies and providing a mix of uses and activities which meet the needs of the community.
On 15 December 2010, the NSW Government published the Urban Renewal State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).
The Urban Renewal SEPP outlines the necessary criteria and steps for identifying an existing urban precinct as a potential candidate for renewal and revitalisation.
The first three precincts identified under the SEPP are Redfern-Waterloo, Granville town centre and the Newcastle CBD.
The key principle of the SEPP is to integrate land use planning with existing or planned infrastructure to create revitalised local communities, greater access to public transport and a broader range of housing and employment options. This is also sometimes referred to as transit oriented development.
Typically a potential urban renewal precinct identified under the SEPP will be within 1 kilometre of a transport hub such as a railway station. However, some potential precincts may encompass a boundary that is wider than this, determined by the individual characteristics of the place.
While the SEPP applies Statewide, the concept of urban renewal is particularly relevant in the Sydney metropolitan region, which is expected to absorb the majority of the State’s anticipated population growth in coming years.
The SEPP will also assist and complement the work of the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority, which was established by the NSW Government in September 2010.
SEPP and Guidelines:
The Urban Renewal SEPP requires that the Director General arrange for a study to be undertaken to determine the suitability of urban renewal within a nominated potential precinct.
In arranging for a study to be undertaken, the Director General may issue a document known as a Precinct Outcomes Brief. The brief sets the parameters and desired outcomes for the precinct to guide the preparation of the study. It establishes the overall objectives for the precinct and targets to be achieved in terms of housing, employment, land use mix, urban design, public domain and other key considerations for the effective delivery of urban renewal.
Potential Urban Renewal Precincts: