Design Quality Program
The Design Quality Program of Residential Flats is an initiative of DoP to improve
the design quality of flat developments of three storeys or more, and containing
four or more dwellings.
The program was established to implement the key recommendations of Achieving
Better Design - Residential Flat Developments in NSW [PDF], the report
of the Urban Design Advisory Committee in response to the Premier's Forum
on Residential Flat Design in March 2000. This forum brought together developers,
government representatives, architects and other industry professionals
to consider ways of improving the design quality of residential flat buildings.
The core element of the Design Quality Program is State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 65.
SEPP 65 aims to improve design quality of residential flat buildings of three or more storeys, and containing four or more self contained dwellings. The Policy recognises that the design quality of residential flat development is of significance for environmental planning for the State due to the economic, environmental, cultural and social benefits of high quality design.
SEPP 65 aims to improve the design quality of residential flat development in NSW, aiming to:
- ensure that it contributes to the sustainable development of NSW,
- achieve better built form and aesthetics of buildings and of the streetscapes and public spaces they define,
- better satisfy the increasing demand, changing social and demographic profile of the community and the needs of the widest range of people from childhood to old age, including those with disabilities,
- maximise amenity, safety and security for the benefit of occupants and the wider community,
- minimise the consumption of energy from non-renewable resources, to conserve the environment and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
SEPP 65 contains ten Design Quality Principles, which form the basis for achieving good design. The Design Quality Principles provide a guide for evaluating the merits of development proposals and draft planning policy. The main features of SEPP 65 are :
- Qualified Designers are required for SEPP 65 development;
- SEPP 65 Design Review Panels appointed by the Minister for Planning to advise and assist councils on design quality principles in relation to development proposals and draft planning policy
SEPP 65 and Design Quality Principles are implemented through the following items:
- The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 legislation includes a number of specific provisions to complement SEPP 65 to raise the design quality of residential flat development;
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2002 [PDF];
- Residential Flat Design Code - a tool for improving the design of residential flats; and
- Residential Flat Design Pattern Book - a resource of ideas and precedents to guide better design of residential flat development in NSW.
The progress of improvements to design quality of residential flat developments through SEPP 65 was published in Improving Flat Design: a progress report a report published by the Department in 2004.
The Sustainability Unit is responsible for SEPP 65 and also delivers the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX). The document entitled SEPP 65 and Multi-Unit BASIX [PDF] outlines the relationship for Multi-Units.
Further information
Information Centre
Phone: 02 9228 6333
Email: sepp65@planning.nsw.gov.au