Better Apartments - NSW SEPP 65 and the Residential Flat Design Code

Published 26th June 2015

A comprehensive review of the NSW planning regulation known as SEPP 65 was finalised and the renamed State Environmental Planning Policy No.65 - Design Quality of Residential Apartment Development will take effect on the 17th July 2015.

It will apply to:

• all residential flat buildings that are three or more storeys and have four or more dwellings.
• mixed use development with a residential accommodation component and shop top housing.
• substantial redevelopments or refurbishments of existing buildings and conversions of existing buildings.

The new guidance stipulates under objective 4Q-1 that:

Objective 4Q-1
Universal design features are included in apartment design to promote flexible housing for all community members.

Design guidance
Developments achieve a benchmark of 20% of the total apartments incorporating the Livable Housing Guideline's silver level universal design features.

This is fanntastic and very welcome news.

The review included extensive community and stakeholder consultation and resulted in a number of changes to the policy, including the overhaul of the Residential Flat Design Code into the Apartment Design Guide.

The changes were made to support further improvements in apartment design, and also to help improve housing affordability and supply.