Table of Contents

Glossary

Concepts and ideas

Cohousing

Cohousing is a resident-led approach to living in self-governing communities with our neighbours. Its six principles are:

  1. Participatory process
  2. Neighbourhood design
  3. Common facilities
  4. Resident management
  5. Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making
  6. No shared community economy

To learn more, also read About Cohousing.

Buyers group

TBD

Builders group

TBD

Co-operative housing

TBD

Organisations and entities

Common Equity NSW

Peak body for residential co-operatives in NSW. Formed in 2009 out of the former ARCH organisation (see history).

https://www.commonequity.com.au/

Note that CENSW is significantly different from Victoria's CEHL in that it typically does not own property, but only operates it. This means it has much less ability to fund new developments.

ACHA

An alliance between common equity organisations (like CENSW and CEHL) across Australia. Aims to promote more co-operative housing.

https://acha.coop

SEFA

https://www.sefa.com.au

Homes NSW

SydCoh, SydCo or SCI

Sydney Cohousing Incorporated, the incorporated association of Sydney Cohousing. We sometimes use the full name including “Inc” or SCI to refer specifically to the legal entity. We might refer to the entire community as just Sydney Cohousing.

Crown land

“Crown land is land held by the NSW Government on behalf of the public, for the benefit of the community. The government and the community work in partnership to manage the Crown Estate. Much of this land is managed under leases and licences, especially in the Far West of NSW. Crown Lands is the largest holder of land in NSW.”

https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/who-we-are/what-is-crown-land

LEP (Local Environment Plan)

“Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) guide planning decisions across NSW. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure works closely with all councils to ensure up-to-date local planning controls are in place.

The most common process of creating Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) starts with a planning proposal, which in most cases is initiated by either local council or another body for example a developer. Should the local council support the planning proposal, it will go to the Department for assessment.”

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/local-environmental-plans

SEPP (State Environment Planning Policies)

“State environmental planning policies (SEPPs) apply across the state. Local environmental plans (LEPs) set planning rules for each local government area. We regularly review SEPPs to ensure they are up-to-date, effective and simple. In some cases we have consolidated SEPPs.”

https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/state-environmental-planning-policies

LMRH (low and mid-rise housing)

“The Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy is part of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021. The policy changes planning controls to encourage more low and mid-rise housing to be built within 800 metres walk from nominated town centres and transport hubs.”

https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/low-and-mid-rise-housing-policy

TOD (transport-oriented development)

“TOD is a land use planning approach that encourages sustainable and mixed-use development around transport and aims to create vibrant and walkable communities. The amended planning controls apply within 400 m of 37 stations to deliver more affordable, well-designed and well-located homes.”

https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/transport-oriented-development-program