NSW Government Launches New Housing Pattern Book

The NSW Government has just released the NSW Housing Pattern Book, offering eight architect-designed templates for terraces, townhouses, row homes, and manor houses—all available for just $1 until January 2026. These ready-to-use designs are part of a broader strategy to boost housing affordability, increase density, and speed up approvals under a new 10-day complying development (CDC) pathway launching July 30, 2025.

What the NSW Pattern Book Does

The Pattern Book initiative aims to standardise high-quality housing design and fast-track approvals across New South Wales.

Key features include:

• Pre-approved architectural templates: Each design includes documentation such as site plans, elevations, and sustainability metrics.
• Fast CDC pathway: From July 2025, these designs can be approved in 10 days under the new complying development track.
• Design integrity: All templates meet the Government Architect NSW’s principles and standards, like BASIX and NatHERS.

But while the Pattern Book simplifies design and approval, understanding whether your site qualifies isn’t always straightforward — and that’s exactly where Planna steps in.

How Planna Bridges the Gap

At Planna, we don’t provide architectural design or CDC packaging. Instead, we specialise in expert planning reports and advice—helping you understand if your site qualifies for the fast-tracked pattern book pathway and what constraints may apply.

Here’s how we make the Pattern Book even more valuable:

1. Site-Specific Feasibility:

You provide us with your site address, and we can prepare a detailed planning report that reviews zoning, overlays, lot dimensions, and relevant development standards.

2. Clarity on Constraints

Our reports flag any issues such as:

• Environmental overlays
• Minimum frontage or lot size discrepancies
• Heritage restrictions
• Local planning variations

This helps avoid wasted time and resources trying to force a pre-approved design onto a site where it won’t comply.

3. Advice Before You Spend

Before committing to buying a pattern design or engaging professionals, our reports give you a clear picture of what’s allowed and whether a 10-day CDC approval is even achievable.

You get all of this upfront, instantly, without needing to wait for costly consultant advice.

4. Connect to Verified Professionals

Once the planning report is complete, if you’re ready to proceed, Planna offers a directory of trusted professionals—including building designers, architects, certifiers, and CDC experts—who can help you move forward.

No middlemen. No commissions. Just direct, transparent access to the right people.

What This Means For You

For anyone developing residential property — whether you’re a first-time builder, investor, or homeowner — the combination of:

• NSW Pattern Book + CDC = faster, simpler housing approvals
• Planna = fewer surprises and better planning outcomes

We help you unlock value, reduce risk, and move forward with clarity.

Final Thoughts

The Pattern Book is an exciting initiative—and it’s one that still requires sound planning advice before jumping in.

Planna doesn’t just tell you what’s possible; we show you how, with clear, automated, and professional reports designed to get your project off the ground faster and smarter.

Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or investor, Planna is your first stop in making sense of the Pattern Book and fast-tracking your CDC pathway.

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