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City of West Torrens Housing Affordability Study

Declining housing affordability is the product of many factors, including demographic change, consumer preferences, land availability, finance, and various housing related taxes, charges and concessions. While declining affordability naturally impacts those at the lower end of the housing market, it is a problem for the entire community as, among other things, it reduces a city’s competitiveness. The Development Act 1993 now requires the facilitation of affordable housing through the planning system. While the BDP policy library provides some assistance in this regard, some local governments envisage a more substantial role in improving housing affordability.

The City of West Torrens is one such council. The Housing Affordability Study prepared by URPS provides Council with a suite of options to respond to help improve affordability. We found Council could take an active role by using surplus council land for affordable housing projects, ensuring housing supply better meets demand in terms of housing type, size and density. Alternative affordable housing options, such as granny flats or dependent accommodation were also promoted. The project also grappled with what desirable affordable housing might look like, and considered where best to focus new affordable housing initiatives.

This project highlights that, while housing affordability is a complex challenge with multiple drivers, there are many ‘entry points’ for local government where a tangible difference can be made beyond the inclusion of 15% affordable housing Development Plan policy.

Innovation is important to us at URPS. We like to 'push boundaries’ where appropriate. It keeps us on our toes and delivers the best possible outcomes for our clients who have to adapt to constant change. This is why we take such pride in winning PIA Awards – they provide evidence of our success in striving for innovation.

We were delighted to receive a commendation at the PIA SA 2011 Awards for Planning Excellence for the Mount Barker Town Centre Community Engagement Project – our 15th PIA Award/Commendation over the past 9 years.

A genuinely collaborative project, staff from Mount Barker Council worked closely with the URPS team to deliver a range of engagement techniques carefully targeted to the various audiences. According to the awards publication, "the judges were impressed by the extent of the community engagement process and the use of a wide variety of consultation mediums, including social media, a youth ‘walk out and talk out’ session and a series of 'speak out’ sessions".

We were also delighted to celebrate Marcus Rolfe's elevation to the position of Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia at the Awards evening. The elevation recognises Marcus' ongoing contribution to the planning profession.

URPS Director Nicole Halsey has recently been appointed as a member of the Premier's Climate Change Council and the Board of Renewables SA.

The primary function of the Climate Change Council is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change about matters related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The Council also takes a leading role in consulting with business, the environment / conservation sector and the wider community on climate change issues.

Key elements of the charter of Renewables SA include:

We look forward to supporting Nicole in these significant roles.

URPS and Natalie Fuller and Associates, together with a team of dedicated staff and volunteers at the City of Salisbury, recently held a "Street Talk" event outside the Len Beadell library for the Salisbury Town Centre Renewal Project.

Over 500 people participated, providing their views on what they like about the Town Centre, what can be improved and how they would like to see it develop in the future.

The Manager Urban Development at the City of Salisbury, Harry Pitrans, described this as a "very successful day for the City of Salisbury", also praising "the opportunity we provided to support the team of engagement volunteers" and our "professionalism and fun during the day".

We would also like to extend our thanks to the engagement team of Brian Pledger, Janine Harding, Jo Lasham, Julie Fyfe, Kate Naumann, Michelle Tucker, Tammie Hamilton and Hiroe Terao.

This type of successful community engagement will have a significant positive impact on the development and delivery of the Town Centre Renewal Project.