THE Perrottet government is fast-tracking the assessment of three planning proposals to unlock around 19,000 new much needed homes, including affordable housing.
While the proposals would typically be lodged with councils initially, the state will undertake the assessment of the three large complex and interrelated proposals, as part of its $2.8 billion package to improve housing supply across NSW.
“Nothing about the assessment process changes including the important need for community consultation,” said Anthony Roberts, minister for planning and homes.
“The Department of Planning and Environment will undertake the assessment of these proposals, which are all located in the Greater Macarthur Growth Area, so councils don’t need to. However, it will be required to work closely with councils and other agencies to resolve any potential issues.”
The process will also secure the protection and implementation of crucial koala population areas in Appin, Gilead and North Appin.
“In addition to potentially providing much-needed housing, these proposals will improve outcomes for the area’s koala population, one of only a few disease-free populations in NSW,” added Roberts.
“Setting up koala corridors is a key part of our conservation efforts to make sure koalas can safely move around, and these proposals could help secure and implement koala plans identified in the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.”
The proposals include a 1,284-hectare Walker Corporation site for around 12,900 new homes, including affordable housing.
In addition to an Ingham Property Group site spanning 300-hectares to support up to 3,000 homes and secure a koala corridor along Ousedale Creek.
And finally, a 876-hectare Lendlease site for up to 3,300 new homes, a school, public open space and environmental conservation land. Including land dedicated to several koala corridors, implementing advice from the NSW Chief Scientist.
The announcement has so far been welcomed by industry leaders, including Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest, who noted such developments often exceed council boundaries.
“These large projects often cross Council borders. Their impact is felt far beyond Council boundaries. Councils are ill-equipped to deal with the multitude of regulatory authorities and agencies that have a say on these types of development projects. This is the role of the State Government and kudos to Premier Dominic Perrottet and Planning and Homes Minister Anthony Roberts for taking action which will make a real difference to housing supply numbers,” said Forrest.
Forrest also referred to the growing demand for houses across NSW, citing the total number of new home approvals as needing to reach between 75,000 and 80,000 per annum.
Compared to the 24,641 dwelling completions and 36,205 approvals in the 12 months to June 2022, according to the Greater Sydney UDP.
“Delivering new housing developments will not happen overnight and we will have a housing supply crisis for some time yet. This announcement will demonstrate what can be achieved when we have decisive action and resolve at the State level. But we have fallen so far behind that this must be just the start of planning reform,” added Forrest.
However, this doesn’t address skilled labour shortages and supply chain disruptions leading to delays and pipeline limitations and lower dwelling stock.
UDIA also supported the government’s move, adding that rezonings alone can take up to 10 years to deliver without such intervention.
“It’s good to see DPE take a lead on these three proposals, but with the housing crisis gripping NSW, housing supply is crucial for the people of NSW who are ready to get out of the rental trap and we need to ensure that the rezonings can turn into development ready land in the shortest possible timeframe,” said Steve Mann, CEO at UDIA, NSW.
UDIA also recommended the using an Urban Development Program with Empowered UDP Committees, to see key infrastructure and utilities delivered by the time house contracts are exchanged.
“We need a sustainable housing supply pipeline over the short medium and long term and that comes from the use of data and digital tools that can also lead to better coordination and the right infrastructure at the right time and in the right place,” concluded Mann.
