More duplexes and semi-detached homes are set to transform Sydney suburbs as new reforms are making it easier to build across local governments in NSW.
New amendments are now allowing dual occupancies, duplexes and semi-detached homes to be built in 97 per cent of local councils.
The reform aims to create more housing in low-density residential zones in “well-located areas within walking distance of transport and close to shops and services”, according to the NSW government.
“The incentives for local government have historically been skewed away from new housing, their current residents are the only ones who get to vote on this and people who want to move in don’t get a say. It’s about preserving the current character and amenity and stopping increased congestion,” said Housing Insitute of Australia senior economist Thomas Devitt.
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Ari Aristides and his family at home today. Wife Angela and kids Olivia and Andrew. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
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“Australia’s capitals do have a challenge in terms of that missing middle between the endless sprawl into the outside suburbs of low density and the huge apartment sky rises, and there really needs to be that in between around other amenity and other infrastructure exists,” he said.
He added that “local voices,” were ensuring houses still needed to be of a certain size, deterring the risk that this reform could create shoebox homes, as well as near transport to avoid the issue of further congestion.
Ari Aristides, who first began building duplexes 20 years ago, has said these amendments will make a big difference to the amount of housing supply across metropolitan Sydney.
Duplex set to change the face of Sydney suburbs.
Multi-generational families or those wanting to help adult children buy a home were among the biggest beneficiaries, according to Mr Aristides.
“It gives opportunities now for those parents who have children who want to be able to afford a property but can’t, to make it a lot more affordable,” he said.
“They can live on the same block, and now, you can do it with a lot smaller block so there’s a lot more opportunity.”
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Previously, blocks needed to have a 15m frontage and a 600sq m block – now they only required 12m frontage on a 400 sqm block.
“For the most part they’re not losing anything internally. Maybe a smaller backyard, but internally you still get four bedrooms, three bathrooms a lounge and dining area, all brand new and ready to go, its very attractive proposition for buyers,” Mr Aristides said.
Inside 43a Clifford St, a duplex which has a pool and five bedrooms and is a duplex.
“I’ve had a lot of siblings want to purchase and buy something new and instead they’ll buy together,” he said. “Also the bigger the land the more it costs so decreasing the size makes it more affordable.”
Mr Aristides also said it was helping downsizers sell bigger homes and blocks of land and still stay in their communities.
“Its attractive for those who want to downsize, especially somewhere like Miranda where they may have come from large homes or blocks of land, it entices a lot of people who want to downsize but still want something luxurious with a swimming pool,” he said. “They know they can comfortably sell and still find somewhere nice.”
Mr Aristides has listed a newly built Miranda duplex at 43a Clifford Rd, set to sell at auction on November 9 through The Agency’s Michael Viglianti.
Ari Aristides builder and developer. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
“A lot of downsizers past the age of 60 have requested a stair lift, as they get into their 70s and 80s the stairs are an issue, and they realise I can have one of these its not an issue.”
Councils were now embracing the change, when historically a lot of barriers were in place, Mr Aristides added.
“A lot of these developments fall under complying development, so there’s no input from neighbours or council so we can do a lot more.
“Especially in metro Sydney, this will help with supply, some areas or blocks you can’t build units … big areas with single homes now they’re allowing you to have two and supply has been the biggest problem in Sydney in the last two years.”
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