Extend your house with a self contained unit or granny flat.

The NSW Government supports the development of secondary dwellings that are self contained such as granny flats describing them as being:

• established in conjunction with the principal dwelling
• on the same land lot as the principal dwelling (and not an individual lot in a strata plan or community title scheme)
• possibly within, attached to, or separate from the principal dwelling.

You can configure your independent dwelling by:

• extending your existing home in an attached addition
• building above an existing garage, or
• as a separate independent structure.

Benefits

Accommodate teenage children, grandparents, guests as well as work, projects and hobbies.

Your independent studio can provide:

• a home office
• Airbnb rental accommodation
• a grandparent dwelling
• a teenage retreat
• a creative art or craft studio
• a gymnasium.

Related legislation

The NSW Government: State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009

More information

NSW Planning: Affordable Rental Housing SEPP

Rammed earth Coogee house with granny flat

Finalist in Randwick Council Urban Design Awards

A central requirement of this new house was to reinforce the idea of the family home through considered planning arrangements and the use of raw materials, natural colours and textures.

Contained within the naturally higher level of the property to the east is a granny flat. It is screened and private from the main house and yet included in the circulation movements around the site via an existing curved, stone stair.

This provides direct access from the garden whilst allowing the dwelling to have its own identity, complete with a direct street address and front courtyard: a self contained dwelling where extended family might stay and enjoy a sense of inclusion and place.

PROJECT

Evelyn Street, South Coogee
4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, dining room, swimming pool; and detached granny flat unit with 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom.

Photography: Peter Endersbee

Bronte Beach duplex houses with granny flats

These duplex houses each has a lane-way access garage, separate from the main house, with a granny flat on top. Each of the main dwellings also has a large attic.

PROJECT
Two new luxury duplex houses, each with: 2 levels plus an attic, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a garage with granny flat (on top)
Read Street, Bronte
Complying Development plus Development Application approval

Photographer: Andrew Sheppard