The NSW Government has implemented a Transport Orientated Development Program focused on accommodation within rail station precincts to help alleviate the housing crisis in the state.
Premier Chris Minns said housing was the biggest single cost of living pressure people were dealing with, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.
“Despite NSW having the largest population, the largest expected increase in population, the highest rents and the highest medium house prices, NSW is last on the east coast when it comes to housing completions,” he said.
Tier One of the program comprises accelerated precincts, with eight Sydney transport hubs earmarked for the delivery of up to 47,800 new, well located, high and mid-rise homes over the next 15 years.
Bankstown, Bays West, Bella Vista, Crows Nest, Homebush, Hornsby, Kellyville and Macquarie Park will all undergo rezoning by November 2024 to provide significant uplift and support new homes within 1200m of these metro and rail stations.
To speed up the delivery of homes over the next five years, developers will be able to access a new State Significant Development pathway for proposals of $60 million or more, and construction will be required to start within two years of approval.
As part of Tier Two, the Government will rezone 31 rail station precincts across the state for housing, allowing for 138,000 new homes to be created within 400 metres of metro or suburban rail stations and town centres to make residential flat building permissible in all residential zonings.
The stations are Adamstown, Ashfield, Banksia, Berala, Booragul, Canterbury, Corrimal, Croydon, Dapto, Dulwich Hill, Gordon, Gosford, Hamilton, Killara, Kogarah, Kotara, Lidcombe, Lindfield, Marrickville, Morisset, Newcastle Interchange, North Strathfield Metro, North Wollongong, Rockdale, Roseville, St Marys Metro, Teralba, Tuggerah, Turrella, Wiley Park and Wyong.
“The locations had been identified as being capable of accommodating new homes within existing enabling infrastructure,” Minns said.
“The NSW Government knows that growing communities deserve well-designed suburbs close to schools, healthcare, shops, transport, parks and jobs.
“To make sure that homes are built in places where people want to live, the Government is providing $520m within the Tier One Accelerated Precincts for community infrastructure, such as critical road upgrades, active transport links and good quality public open spaces.
“Developing new entertainment hubs including restaurants and cafes, including outdoor dining, and live entertainment venues will also help create vibrant and active precincts with great amenity.
“The Government will use the already legislated Housing and Productivity Contributions system to ensure some of the value created by Government investments will fund future infrastructure.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the sites had been selected because they had infrastructure to build on, and for that reason would access a State Significant Development pathway that speed their approval.
“These homes will also create choice, so essential workers can live close to their jobs in the type of housing they want,” he said.
“Housing choice means not everything is high-rise. We’re focused on building well designed communities, rich with diverse housing types.”
