Demonstrating their commitment to addressing housing challenges in the State, the NSW Government has accepted all 15 recommendations put forward by the Regional Housing Taskforce to help deliver improved housing supply and affordability in regional NSW.
The comprehensive suite of measures includes more homes for key workers, accelerating development assessments, and identifying options to use Government land for more social and affordable housing.
Additionally, the Government is also investing $2.8 billion in housing as part of the NSW Budget, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole said.
"We are getting on with the job of easing housing pressures in the regions, both now and for the future. We've listened to the recommendations of the Regional Housing Taskforce and put together a comprehensive, multi-pronged plan to unlock land and drive the supply of new and affordable homes.
“It builds on the investment we’ve made through the NSW Budget to improve housing supply and ensure locals and key workers moving to the regions have a place to call home."
According to Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts, regional councils will benefit from a share of $12 million to help them plan for housing that is affordable, diverse, and resilient to natural hazards.
“The councils can apply for up to $250,000 each through the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund, to help them undertake the upfront planning work needed to speed up housing delivery,” he said.
The initial $30 million Regional Housing Fund is already helping 21 regional councils in high-growth areas deliver 25 new projects to provide services, open space and connections to fast-track a pipeline of new homes, he added.
Among others, the Government’s response also includes expanding the Urban Development Program to more high-growth regional areas to improve infrastructure coordination and delivery; working with local government to improve assessment timeframes for new housing through the Faster Local Assessment Grant program; and investigating the introduction of standardised planning pathways for certain types of temporary accommodation to address spikes in housing demand.
