Beam Planning

We’re excited to welcome two more members to the Beam Team!   Eliza Hannah joins us as a Senior Planner following several years in private planning consultancy. Eliza has a broad range of experience in local, regional and state significant projects, as well as the management of design competitions and design review processes.   Taylor Condon joins us as an Assistant Planner for her 2025 practical experience as part of her combined Planning and Law degree from UNSW.   Thanks to the ever fast-paced planning reforms, both Eliza and Taylor have hit the ground running and are getting exposure to many of our projects and clients. We're looking forward to a big year ahead!   Join us in welcoming Eliza and Taylor! Ashleigh Ryan Chris Forrester Michael Rowe Brendan Hoskins

Stepping out to start a business was nothing short of daunting, but after nearly 12 months of Beam Planning, we believe we are well on our way to create one of Sydney's best planning consultancies, with a talented team of 9 already delivering some of the largest and most exciting projects happening in our city. While we took a risk establishing Beam, the support we have received over the last year has been truly immense, and we can't thank our clients and industry partners enough for all the different ways they've gone out of their way to get behind us. That also includes our amazing and thoughtful #BeamTeam who completely surprised us this morning with our very own scarily accurate bobble heads. To feel like so many people have our backs and want us to succeed has made all the difference. The best part about it is that it’s been incredibly fun, and that’s down to sharing it all with two of the best planners, friends and business partners I could of hoped for in Brendan Hoskins and Chris Forrester.    Of course it doesn’t stop here, we are now even more excited for what 2025 has to bring - so watch this space...    Happy 1st Birthday Beam!

Low and Mid-Rise Housing Reforms In effect! After much anticipation, reforms to encourage low and mid-rise housing will take effect on 28 February 2025.   The changes made by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will apply to residential zones and will allow for: • Buildings up to six storeys within 400 metres of 171 designated train stations and town centres on land zoned for medium (R3) or high-density (R4). • Buildings up to three storeys within 800 metres of stations and town centres on land zoned for residential (R1) or low-density (R2) development. • Employment zoned land is excluded from the policy The key controls for new apartment buildings in (R3) and (R4) zones include: • Within 400m of stations and centres: 2.2:1 FSR and 22m height (24m for shop top housing) • Within 800m of stations and centres: 1.5:1 FSR and 17.5m height (17.5m for shop top housing) • In-fill housing bonuses available for affordable housing on top https://lnkd.in/gqrbDF9G Ashleigh Ryan Chris Forrester Michael Rowe Brendan Hoskins

I’ve always loved my job. A break at the end of 2024 allowed me to realise that passion and enthusiasm hasn’t faded. I am so happy to continue doing what I love in my next role. This week I’ve started as a Director and Partner at Beam Planning. For over 15 years the founding Directors of Beam have known me, so they should know what they are in for by joining forces. I suspect they have already bought a few extra headphones for the office (the enthusiasm carries…). I really respect what Michael Rowe Brendan Hoskins and Chris Forrester have built with the amazing team at Beam over the past year, in addition to their work in the many years before, and I’m excited to contribute to building the company working on projects that we are proud of and that will shape the future of Sydney and NSW. If you haven’t heard the name yet, jump onto https://lnkd.in/g7YHYY2m and give us a follow where we will share info and updates, or reach out to me at aryan@beamplanning.com.au.

The NSW Government is progressing even further reforms to improve development assessment timeframes and efficacy of the planning system.    In addition to housekeeping and procedural matters, we are particularly interested in the following outcomes sought by the changes to the EP&A Act introduced in Parliament this week: • Removing the need for concurrent modification applications to vary approved Concept DAs. This will be achieved by providing greater flexibility for Detailed DAs, including when developments seek to utilise new density bonuses that may not have been envisaged at the time of the Concept DA (e.g. 30% affordable housing bonuses). • Reducing min. exhibition periods for SSDAs from 28 days to 14 days, aligning with min. local DA timeframes.  • Clarifying that submissions on SSDAs outside the exhibition period are not 'submissions' for the purposes of the Act. These submissions may still be considered by the consent authority. • Clarifying that modifications to conditions are sufficient for Sections 4.55 and 4.56 of the Act, as opposed to requiring modifications to "effect some change to the development". This is a small, but very significant change to allow 'administrative' modifications again. • Allowing the Minister to declare housing targets for regions and LGA. • Ensuring affordable housing contributions are reinvested locally.    Paul Scully stated in his second reading speech that "The reforms proposed in this bill will support the delivery of more homes faster and more efficiently through the planning system."    These changes may take some time to eventuate. Debate on the proposed changes to the Act will resume during the March sittings of Parliament. Brendan Hoskins Chris Forrester Michael Rowe Ashleigh Ryan

The outcome of the first Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) meeting has been announced this afternoon by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.   Of the 28 EOI applications considered by the HDA, 12 have been recommended to be declared State Significant Development (SSD). A total of 8 applications were not recommended to be declared, 3 others deferred, and 5 noted to already trigger SSD.   This is a positive step in setting a clear pathway for high yielding residential projects. With over 100 EOI applications received, we anticipate further projects announced as SSD in the coming weeks.   https://lnkd.in/gsyr7TxH Ashleigh Ryan Chris Forrester Michael Rowe Brendan Hoskins

NSW Planning Reforms Recap: Delivering on the National Housing Accord The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has rolled out significant planning reforms in the past year to accelerate housing supply, improve affordability, and streamline approval processes in line with the National Housing Accord. Here is a quick snapshot of the key changes:   • Housing Delivery Authority – A new authority to recommend high yielding housing projects as SSD with potential concurrent rezonings.   • The TOD Program – Tier 1 ‘Accelerated Precincts’ rezoned to fast-track high-density housing near transport hubs and Tier 2 Station Precincts to deliver medium density around key stations.   • State Significant Rezonings – A new pathway for state-led and state-assessed planning proposals to unlock housing.   • Affordable Housing bonuses – New 30% bonuses where 15% of a development is provided as affordable housing for 15 years.   • Low & Mid-Rise Housing – Expanded allowances for low-rise and mid-rise housing (3-6 storeys) in targeted areas.   • NSW Housing Pattern Book – Standardized, high-quality housing designs to speed up approvals.   • Housing Targets & Faster Assessments – Clear housing targets, backed by funding and streamlined assessment processes to reduce delays.   As these reforms come into effect and shape the planning framework for unlocking new dwellings, their implementation and how planning applications move through the system will be critical. We're looking forward to the year ahead, encouraging more positive reforms, and supporting our clients in their contribution to tackling the housing crisis. Ashleigh Ryan Chris Forrester Michael Rowe Brendan Hoskins

Announcing a new Director and Partner!   We are delighted to announce Ashleigh Ryan as a new director and partner of Beam Planning.   Ashleigh will be a familiar face to many in the industry, bringing a wealth of experience across multiple sectors, in particular the built-to-rent and built-to-sell residential sectors. The professionalism, knowledge and creative problem-solving Ashleigh brings to projects is well-recognised by everyone who has had the opportunity to work with her over the past 15 years.   Ashleigh's tireless efforts and advocacy beyond her own projects will also be recognised by many in the industry. Ashleigh continues to be a strong advocate for key issues challenging Sydney, including innovative ways to solve our housing challenges, a more efficient planning system, and the mentorship of women in planning.   This is a significant milestone for Beam Planning as we strengthen our leadership and ability to continue delivering the highest-quality service and support to clients.   Please join us in giving Ashleigh a warm welcome!   Michael Rowe Chris Forrester Brendan Hoskins

Stepping out to start a business was nothing short of daunting, but after nearly 12 months of Beam Planning, we believe we are well on our way to create one of Sydney's best planning consultancies, with a talented team of 9 already delivering some of the largest and most exciting projects happening in our city. While we took a risk establishing Beam, the support we have received over the last year has been truly immense, and we can't thank our clients and industry partners enough for all the different ways they've gone out of their way to get behind us. That also includes our amazing and thoughtful #BeamTeam who completely surprised us this morning with our very own scarily accurate bobble heads. To feel like so many people have our backs and want us to succeed has made all the difference. The best part about it is that it’s been incredibly fun, and that’s down to sharing it all with two of the best planners, friends and business partners I could of hoped for in Brendan Hoskins and Chris Forrester.    Of course it doesn’t stop here, we are now even more excited for what 2025 has to bring - so watch this space...    Happy 1st Birthday Beam!

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has released an Industrial Lands Action Plan. The Plan will target four initiatives over the next 12–24 months: - Replace the 'Retain, Review and Plan and Manage policies' with a statewide categorisation policy for the supply of industrial lands. - Make planning and policy interventions to increase flexibility on industrial lands*. - Release a statewide pipeline for the supply of industrial lands. - Implement an Employment Land Development Program to coordinate infrastructure investment for the supply of industrial land.   *The Plan addresses underutilised industrial lands, but highlights an objective to allow for alternative 'employment' uses. Other alternative uses (i.e. residential) will only be considered where certain criteria are met. These criteria are expected to be released in the new statewide policy. Michael Rowe Chris Forrester Brendan Hoskins   https://lnkd.in/ghbG8pg4