Shanahan Planning

Shanahan Planning is a broad based town planning consultancy providing professional, independent urban planning services to facilitate good development of all types and scale.  We operate throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area, the Hunter, Illawarra and regional NSW.  By engaging Shanahan Planning, you get personal service from the principal of the firm, the knowledge and experience to quickly identify key issues and solutions, a commitment to quality and competitive fees through low overheads.

New South Wales has some of the most expensive housing markets in the world.  As a result thousands of citizens, particularly the homeless and low income renters, suffer real hardship and a reduced capacity to participate in society.

Middle income earners also face severe difficulty securing appropriate and affordable housing accessible to jobs. The State’s housing undersupply is eroding our economic competitiveness and polarising communities.

Shanahan Planning has expert knowledge of the affordable housing sector and is a passionate advocate for its development.  We understand the planning legislation, the social housing system, housing markets and community housing.

By analysing key developments, we can provide the best-informed planning advice in this rapidly evolving sector.  You are welcome to review our latest planning updates:

• Affordable Housing Local Character Test
• Lessons from Beatrice Street

Our recent experience in affordable housing includes:

• advising on the development and review of the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP and associated design and guidance publications;
• negotiating planning approval and zoning reviews for many social housing projects on behalf of Housing NSW;
• managing the independent planning assessment of hundreds of infill housing projects built under the Commonwealth’s Economic Stimulus Plan;
• providing strategic asset planning advice to Housing NSW;
• undertaking independent assessment of development applications affecting low cost rental housing for the Department of Planning;
• surveying community housing providers to identify best practice in infill affordable housing design.

Local councils increasingly seek a leadership role in helping their communities meet the affordable housing challenge.  Shanahan Planning is well equipped to assist metropolitan and regional councils with affordable housing studies and strategies.