This month will see the start of construction on over 170,000 homes in areas of NSW that provide better access to transportation hubs. Additional residences have been included in the NSW government’s strategy to enhance the development of regions surrounding transportation centres, with an additional six locations being incorporated into the initiative.
Regions surrounding Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter, and Central Coast will see the construction of a significant number of new homes. These areas have been strategically chosen due to their convenient proximity to transportation hubs. The development of these homes is anticipated to commence in the upcoming month. A new housing project aims to improve accessibility for residents across the region by constructing homes within 400 metres of new transport hubs.
On Friday, NSW Premier Chris Minns will announce the addition of six new stations to the current network of 31 stations spread across 13 local government areas. The network recently added these six new stations: Cardiff, Cockle Creek, Belmore, Lakemba, Punchbowl, and Woy Woy. According to Minns, the station expansion was the result of discussions with local governments to address the needs of the state’s growing population.
“The NSW government is absolutely committed to confronting the housing crisis head-on,” Minns said.
“For too long, housing has been put in the too-hard basket.”
According to a recent report by the Productivity Commission, Sydney experienced a significant outflow of individuals aged 30 to 40 between 2016 and 2021, with double the number leaving compared to those moving in. Interestingly, less than 20 percent of newly constructed residences were located within a 10-kilometre radius of the CBD. Minns emphasised the significance of state support for young individuals looking to purchase homes or rent properties.
“If we don’t build more houses, young people will up and leave because they can’t afford a home in NSW,” he said.
“And if we lose our young people, we lose our future.
“I want to thank the mayors and councils for working collaboratively with the government.
“Ensuring we have homes for young people across our state is a shared responsibility.”
Planning and Public Space Minister Paul Scully encouraged other local governments to persistently voice their concerns regarding the housing policy, emphasising the need for customisation to suit the unique needs of each community.
“I encourage others to sit down and help us address the housing crisis by working together to find well-located housing across the state for young people, essential workers, and families who desperately need to access the housing market,” Scully said.
“The principle that underpinned the discussions with councils is that any local plans must go beyond the NSW government’s housing expectations, not backwards.
“In addition, the government’s reforms to state infrastructure contributions mean that the infrastructure investment needed to support housing growth in these areas will also be made.
“The TOD programme is part of the biggest planning reforms this state has ever seen and will be a critical tool in meeting the growing demand for housing and improving affordability, especially for young people and families.”
This process’s extensive planning and meticulous efforts will result in the development of housing plans in collaboration with the councils of Bayside, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cumberland, Georges River, Inner West, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Penrith, and Wollongong.
The government intends to collaborate with Wollongong Council to conduct a thorough examination of Coniston and Unanderra as potential additional stations. This investigation will take into account the water and wastewater capacity in these areas.
The Inner West Council has also put forward sites for social housing. Planning and Public Space Minister Paul Scully encouraged other local governments to persistently voice their concerns regarding the housing policy, emphasising the need for customisation to suit the unique characteristics of each community.