For anyone interested in buying property, especially off the plan, planning rules and density debates directly influence what opportunities exist.
A Journey from Modelling to Planning
Melissa Neighbour didn’t begin in planning. After leaving school, she worked in a fish and chip shop and later moved into modelling in Hong Kong.
What shaped her perspective:
- Witnessing poverty and homelessness while travelling
- Seeing children being exploited in street scams
- Realising that systems and planning determine people’s opportunities
These experiences drove her back to Australia to study town planning, which became her vehicle for impact.
What Town Planning Really Does
Town planning balances social, economic, and environmental needs to shape how cities function.
Two key sides of planning:
- Strategic planning – zoning, land use, and suburb-wide controls
- Statutory planning – managing development applications, coordinating expert reports, and guiding projects through council
Her business, Sky Planning, frequently assists with:
- Remedial work for apartment buildings
- Change-of-use approvals for hospitality venues
- DA processes for property owners and strata groups
When Planning Meets Politics
Planning theory promises clarity and structure. But Melissa found that:
- Politics heavily influences planning decisions
- Good planning outcomes often lose to political pressure
- Quality agricultural land is frequently rezoned for urban sprawl
She spent time in climate activism before returning to planning with the goal of creating change from the inside.
The Human Side of the Housing Crisis
The housing crisis isn’t just about prices. It’s affecting communities:
Real examples:
- Inner-city schools losing enrolments as families move out
- A nurse commuting from Newcastle to Western Sydney due to housing costs
- Essential workers unable to live near their workplaces
- Grandparents and grandchildren living suburbs apart
Housing supply affects social connection, family structure, and community wellbeing.
NIMBYs, YIMBYs, and the Birth of Sydney YIMBY
A pivotal moment occurred when Melissa attended an Inner West Council meeting. A modest upzoning near a light rail station was proposed:
- Around 50 residents opposed it
- Only a few supported it
Those “yes” voices connected afterwards — and Sydney YIMBY was born.
What Sydney YIMBY stands for:
- Supporting more homes in well-located suburbs
- Improving planning outcomes
- Representing renters, young families, and pro-growth residents
The group now includes:
- An elected committee
- Roughly 350 members
- A no-developer membership policy
Planning at the Top of the Housing Funnel
Delivering new housing requires:
- Land
- Planning approvals
- Construction
- Labour
- Finance
Planning sits at the top of the funnel. Without permissive zoning:
- Very few sites qualify for development
- Feasible projects never begin
- Supply collapses before construction even starts
Research shows:
- To deliver X homes, zoning must enable roughly 7× X potential capacity
- This accounts for feasibility issues, owner preferences, and site constraints
Walkability, Density, and Better Neighbourhoods
Melissa’s vision is a more walkable Sydney.
A walkable suburb offers:
- Access to cafés, gyms, parks, and schools
- Safe cycling routes
- Less traffic dependency
- Stronger neighbourhood connection
Studies show:
- 22% of millennials have zero close friends
- Nearly half of Australians have no regular contact outside their home
- Loneliness has health impacts comparable to heavy smoking
Thoughtful density creates the conditions for community, convenience, and better mental health.
The One Rule She Would Change
If Melissa could change one thing:
Allow at least three-storey buildings in every residential zone across Sydney.
This would:
- Unlock gentle, city-wide infill
- Improve feasibility for small developers
- Reduce pressure on limited high-density precincts
- Support walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods
How Coposit Helps Buyers in a Tight Market
Planning reform takes time. But buyers need options now.
Coposit helps people access off the plan property with a lower upfront deposit:
- Secure a property with a smaller initial payment
- Pay the remaining deposit in weekly instalments during construction
- Build ownership while the project is being built
For first-home buyers wanting to stay near family, this model provides a practical path into the market.
Why Saying Yes Matters
Supporting more homes means:
- Nurses and teachers can live near their workplaces
- Families can stay connected
- Communities remain vibrant
- Younger generations don’t get pushed to the fringes
Saying “yes” to well-planned density is saying yes to a liveable, inclusive future.
