Please note - Due to the holiday season, builders and developers may be slower than usual in responding to any queries Close

Urban Planning and Development in Australia: What You Need to Know 

Understanding town planning in Australia is crucial for anyone planning to build a new home or grow your property investment portfolio. This is because the rules and regulations imposed by the government can affect various factors, including lot costs, zoning limitations, house plans in Australia etc.

The Planning Institute of Australia leads the country’s urban planning profession. The Federal Government’s principal legislation piece is the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which influences town planning decisions nationwide. However, each state has their own town planning laws and procedures when it comes to land use management.

For instance:

  • In New South Wales and Sydney, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) controls the provisions of land use and urban planning. Disputes are dealt by the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales.
  • In Western Australia and Perth, the Western Australian Planning Commission mainly directs the town planning, implementing The Environmental Protection Act of 1986. Following the Planning and Development Act of 2005, Perth has become one of the fastest consistently growing capital cities in Australia, and is also included in the top ten most livable cities in the world. Large-scale projects, including the Perth City Link and the Riverside project, transforms this city to grow as a central business district that provides its residents safety, opportunities, satisfaction, and an environmentally sound place to live in.
  • In Queensland and or Brisbane, the Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) focuses on urban development projects that increase economic growth, developing sites that are considered under-utilised.

By knowing what town planning regulations each city in Australia adhere to, you will be able to make better decisions when property investing.

What Constitutes Town Planning In Australia? The Five Factors

Urban planning goes beyond considering the population growth and the demographic changes in a specific location. Although each state has an independent urban development system, there are key factors that play a significant role when governing bodies make town planning decisions.

Sustainability

Development of towns in Australia focuses on the need to increase sustainability in urban areas to address transport emissions, energy usage, population growth, weather conditions and events (such as bushfires and flooding), and waste management.

Sustainable building codes include New South Wales’ BASIX assessment tool and Victoria’s Green Star rating, which help improve water and energy conservation in new housing developments.

Water-Sensitive Urban Designs

Also known as WSUD, this framework aims to make sure that urban water management is friendlier to natural water systems. Methods include filtration and pollutant removal, protecting water quality, wastewater transport, and integrated storm water drainage.

Renewal and  Consolidation

Urban renewal aims to revitalise cities. Areas previously seen as a social disadvantage are being transformed into zones that offer more career opportunities, recreational spots, amenities, and other perks. Melbourne’s Docklands development and Brisbane’s South Bank are examples.

Climate Change

Urban areas in Australia are prone to extreme weather events. Thus, climate change play a big role in making sure that the cities’ buildings and infrastructure are designed to withstand the shifts in the weather pattern. Risk assessment analysis is crucial in determining if a zone is prone to bushfires, flooding, coastal erosion, and storm surges.

Heritage and Conservation

Aside from making sure that new developments comply with environmentally sound specifications, town planning laws and policies also aim to conserve and protect historic heritage buildings. Before construction takes place, developers are required to follow the rigid guidelines that place value and significance to Australia’s cultural history.

Australia is moving towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable approach to new developments and house plans. If you are looking for more information on house plans in Australia, knowing the town planning regulations that apply to you is one of the first steps in making sure that your property is in accordance with the law.

Making The Right Decision With iBuildNew

If you are planning to build a new home, having all of the information is very important and it leaves you in a powerful position. Knowing what to expect and understand why and how different aspects of the process work means that you will never be left in the dark. Before you get started make sure that you read our free downloadable guide to the new home building process. Jam-packed full of power insight this guide will help you make a confident decision when you choose a builder. At iBuildNew, not only can you compare designs and builders easily, you can also speak to one of our expert consultants who can step you through the building process and what to expect. They will take a description of your building requirements, provide you with expert advice and match you up with builders who will be able to meet your needs. There will be no need to run back and forth between builders as we get them to contact you promptly. Call one of our consultants on 1800 184 284 or book a call online.

iBuildnew Advisory Team
Let us do the legwork for you.
  • We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
  • We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
  • We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing

Ben

Ben is a passionate home renovator who is forever making improvements around the home and garden

About

iBuildNew is the market leading aggregator dedicated to residential home construction and land development. As an independent platform, iBuildNew helps Australians identify and compare new home designs, house and land packages and land estates. It’s the smart way home buyers, who are considering a new build, can find the ideal options to match their individual needs. Home building is a big decision, we make sure you get it right.

You may also like

Jan 24, 2018

Building a House in an Estate or an Established Area

With so many housing options available in Australia, it can be hard deciding which area...
Read More
Jul 23, 2018

Saving For A Construction Loan: Steps To Building A ...

Saving and applying for a home loan can seem like a massive challenge but it is very im...
Read More
Mar 21, 2018

Should You Find Land For Sale Or a Builder First?

When it comes to finding land for sale, whether in rural or metro areas, figuring out w...
Read More
Nov 13, 2019

Property Zoning 101: Everything You Need To Know

Before taking the exciting plunge of buying property, it is essential to be informed ab...
Read More
Aug 10, 2021

How Do You Know If You’re Ready To Build Your ...

Everybody aspires to build their dream home one day and shares the desire to make their...
Read More
May 10, 2019

Working All The Angles: Tips For Sloping Block House...

Character, style, distinction and impossible panoramic views - the advantages of a slop...
Read More
May 22, 2019

Building A New House? Consider These Optional Extra&...

Some people look upon optional extras when building a new house as ways to up the base ...
Read More
Aug 11, 2017

6 handy tips for first home builders

At iBuildNew we are passionate about helping our clients be informed about the new home...
Read More
Sep 08, 2016

The Best Time to Build a New Home

iBuildNew CEO, Daniel Peterson, shares his expert new home building industry insights o...
Read More
May 20, 2020

Can You Back Out Of Purchasing A Property?

We know that buying a property is a big decision that comes with a long-term commitment...
Read More
Jul 28, 2017

6 Tips for Building Your New Home

At iBuildNew we are passionate about helping our clients be informed about the new home...
Read More
Oct 24, 2019

The Lowdown On Standard Home Inclusions

Walking through that shiny, spotless display home and viewing each and every feature of...
Read More
Jul 15, 2018

Build a Family House Design for Multigenerational Li...

Build a family house can take a bit of thought. There are many factors that will influe...
Read More
Sep 02, 2020

Buying A Property? Here Are The Inspections You Need...

We know finding your dream house can be difficult and when you finally do, it’s natural...
Read More
Sep 02, 2021

How Big Should Your Dream Home Be?

We undeniably live in a world where the modern credo is ‘the bigger the better!’ But, i...
Read More
Feb 03, 2021

What To Look Out For In A Building Contract

Building a house is a pivotal moment in people’s lives. It is the start of a new advent...
Read More
Mar 24, 2017

Your Packing and Storage Checklist For When You Buil...

Building a new home can be a rewarding experience and in many cases it can become an al...
Read More
Apr 19, 2017

How To Make Building Your New Home Design a Reality

Article information sourced from Complete Homes If you’ve almost settled on a new home ...
Read More
Mar 30, 2018

The New Home Building Process

You’ve finally decided on your new home design. Congratulations! This decision can be a...
Read More
Jul 05, 2017

One for the Books: Sydney’s Greatest Housing Constru...

There is good news for Sydney: according to the most recent forecasts by the New South ...
Read More
Apr 01, 2018

Tips For Sticking To Your Construction Timeline

Beginning construction on your new home can be both an exciting and daunting step in cr...
Read More
May 30, 2017

New Home Build Timeline: What You Need to Know

You've gone through the process of visiting display homes, choosing the right design, a...
Read More
Aug 07, 2019

What to Consider When Building Your “Forever H...

While visualising your forever home is all too easy, when it comes to actually building...
Read More

9 Must-Have Features of the Most Lucrative Investmen...

If you’ve read the news lately, then you’re no stranger to the state of the Australian ...
Read More

Get more from

Browse Land for Sale