The role of planning and how it impacts and influences the provision of housing around the nation has undoubtedly piqued the interest of many industry stakeholders in the past year. Equally, the public is increasingly questioning the role of planning and why it’s causing so much angst for many across the housing spectrum – from renters to first, second and third home buyers and investors.

Let’s take a step back in time. Contemporary urban planning in Australia began around 1930, with systems and regulatory structures continuing to be shaped and developed for the next two decades.

Aside from becoming more complex and burdensome, planning systems and procedures have not substantially changed for almost seven decades. It’s a discipline where business as usual is okay, but perhaps mediocrity has become an acceptable benchmark. Now is the optimal time to question whether planning is efficient and effective in meeting and balancing all the considerations in this modern day: environmental, social, economic and the timely provision of enabling infrastructure.

With the housing crisis front and centre across the nation, it might just be the catalyst needed to be bold, examine the planning focus areas and identify what we need to concentrate on. We need to reset planning so that it positively contributes to Australia’s housing productivity. We must consolidate the role the federal government could and should play to help ease the regulatory burden that planning creates in delivering the housing Australia needs in the coming decade.

The federal effect 

In Australia, planning is typically considered the role of state and local governments. From time to time, the federal government has been involved to varying degrees in responding to a particular matter. In the past 12 months, the federal government has released several housing and planning initiatives and consultation papers, namely the National Planning Reform Blueprint and the consultation on the National Urban Policy. As a result, the federal government’s role in planning has come into the spotlight, and rightly so. 

These initiatives are welcome and need to be sensibly and tactically pursued. It’s also necessary to think broadly and identify what’s required today and well into the future to modernise and streamline planning. 

The areas are broad and far-reaching and, yes, sometimes contentiously – a step too far for some to consider and embrace. But if we don’t challenge ourselves and rethink planning and what we want it to achieve, we could lament missed opportunities in the coming decades.

What's next 

Firstly, planning needs national guidance and oversight, not just new layers of regulation and complexity. By creating a national planning framework and code, we can harmonise and strategically coordinate federal initiatives, particularly the National Planning Reform Blueprint, the National Housing Accord, and the National Urban Policy.

By creating a nationally consistent monitoring system of land and housing supply, we can implement strategic-led planning and balance competing priorities. Likewise, issues such as provision and funding would be more transparent and coordinated. 

Developing a robust future 

So how can we turn the current noise into thoughts beyond policy change and abolishing red tape? 

We must start with robust discussions focused on what we’re trying to achieve while identifying what may not fit within a planning reset. An example would be reviewing whether social housing, build- to-rent schemes, and planning and environmental overlap have a role within planning strategies.

Meanwhile, moving towards new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to provide new solutions is a step in the right direction. Trials are already underway in some jurisdictions where computer-generated code assessments are immediately carried out as part of the online application process. This will help reduce subjective code assessments, streamline approval pathways and provide for faster decisions. 

So, with that in mind, we need to ask ourselves – are our planning graduates ready for future challenges and innovations? To provide an immediate benefit, it’s essential that planning graduates can practically apply artificial intelligence to assist, for example, in the interpretation of technical and legislative requirements. 

At the same time, we must remember that the planning system is not broken, but it does require a significant reset. A reset must be approached in a measured and considered manner, not to throw out what we have and start again. The industry needs a firm grip on the situation. Even when significant change is being explored and implemented, decision-making and efficient approval timeframes remain intact and unaffected. 

To positively impact the provision of housing around the country, all focus areas must receive attention and be addressed in a reasonable timeframe. The following three focus areas are considered best suited for initial attention due to their ability to have a meaningful impact with low potential for industry disruption.

1. Nationally consistent monitoring system of land and housing/infrastructure planning

A nationally consistent system of monitoring land and housing supply is a much-needed resource to help ensure the adequate mix and distribution of housing throughout metropolitan and regional areas. Reporting must be mandatory for all states and territories coordinated at a federal level. Data must be transparent and publicly accessible and used in conjunction with the planning and provision of infrastructure. 

2. Private planning certification

The mere mention of private planning certification raises the ire of the public sector. It’s immediately perceived that the private sector wants to be judge and jury over planning approvals. Nothing could be further from the truth. Several models could be explored where private sector involvement is introduced and increased in an articulated way as the industry adapts to this change. 

However, for the reasons cited above, the conversation is often cut short before it has a voice. This is one example of a focus area where being bold holds great potential to bring about much- needed efficiencies, leading to streamlined planning and more efficient decision-making timeframes.

3. Planner skills and education 

Often, there’s a skills gap between what a planner requires in the industry compared to those attained upon completion of their qualification. Many skills are learnt on the job over many years. While macro learnings, such as planning strategies, principles and concepts, are important to underpin the understanding of planning, equally are skills such as plan reading, regulatory interpretation and interactions, and economics and finance implications. 

These are often absent from a graduate planner’s skill set. If these received the same recognition and attention, graduate planners would positively contribute to the industry immediately rather than needing extensive and lengthy on-the-job training post-graduation. 

Time to deliver 

With an appropriate level of national guidance and oversight, we can assure the delivery of housing in both metropolitan and regional areas in the coming years.

First published 9 December 2024