The Property Council of Australia has thrown its support behind the NSW government’s launch of the Housing Pattern Book for low-rise housing and a new fast-tracked approval pathway, calling the move a smart step toward accelerating the delivery of high-quality, well-located homes across the state.
Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson (pictured) said the announcement reflected long-standing industry recommendations and aligned with broader planning reform to boost supply and cut delays.
“Releasing pre-approved, architect-led designs with a dedicated fast-track pathway is a clear step toward delivering the homes our communities need – faster, more affordably, and with confidence in the outcome. It’s about cutting red tape without cutting corners,” Stevenson said.
The Property Council played a key role in shaping the Housing Pattern Book, working with the NSW Government Architect to host a statewide roadshow in Sydney, Wollongong, and Newcastle that engaged hundreds of industry stakeholders.
“This announcement reflects the value of true partnership. Industry input has helped to shape a system that can get more homes to market, more efficiently, and with strong design quality built in,” Stevenson said.
The NSW Housing Pattern Book offers a collection of architect-designed homes that combine traditional materials, flexible layouts, native landscaping, and clear architectural guidance.
These designs are eligible for fast-tracked planning approval and can be used across NSW on sites where low- and mid-rise housing is already permitted, including areas covered by the Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy and Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) reforms.
To access the complying development pathway, applicants must engage a qualified architect or building designer to verify that the submission meets Pattern Book standards. The initiative is expected to reduce assessment timeframes by up to 50% while ensuring consistent design quality across new and established neighbourhoods.
The Property Council has called for additional enablers to support uptake of the Pattern Book, including:
“The Pattern Book initiative will unlock more terraces, townhouses and mid-rise apartments in areas that need them most, around transport hubs and job centres,” Stevenson said.
The Pattern Book is expected to support the NSW government’s efforts to meet its National Housing Accord target of 377,000 new homes by 2029, by delivering practical tools that streamline planning without compromising quality.
“We’ve said from the start: this isn’t about a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about high-quality, modest, sustainable housing options that are ready to go,” Stevenson said.
The initiative is backed by legislative changes taking effect from July, via amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.
For more information about the NSW Pattern Book, visit the NSW government website.
