The next three Sydney zones in line for greater density revealed

Almost 32,000 homes will be built near train stations in Crows Nest, Homebush and Bankstown as the NSW Labor government moves to speed up construction and increase density around transport hubs amid the worsening housing crisis.

The transport-oriented developments (TODs) will be accelerated to deliver up to 31,855 new homes – including 3348 for affordable housing – on the north shore and the city’s inner west and south-west.

In Crows Nest, the new 3255 homes will be within the St Leonards Centre and along the spine of the Pacific Highway to the Crows Nest metro rail station, slated to open on August 4.

Of the new homes, as many as 488 will be earmarked for affordable housing near Royal North Shore Hospital, one of the largest general hospitals in Australia.

The Homebush accelerated TOD precinct includes about 200 hectares between the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs. Rezoning will allow various land uses including residential, commercial and recreational within walking distance of four train stations – Homebush, North Strathfield, Strathfield and Concord West – and a future metro station at North Strathfield.

There will be 16,100 new homes, including between 805 and 1610 for affordable housing.

In Bankstown, there will be 12,5000 new homes within walking distance of Bankstown station and the new metro stop, with residential and commercial buildings ranging from one to 25 storeys.

The government also estimates that as many 20,000 jobs will be created through the Bankstown, Crows Nest and Homebush rezoning proposals.

The government last week detailed plans for accelerated TODs in Hornsby, Macquarie Park, Kellyville and Bella Vista, and community consultation for the Bays West TOD rezoning proposal will take place during the exhibition of the masterplan in mid-2025.

Each of the TOD accelerated precincts will also have access to changed planning rules unique to those precincts to accelerate the delivery of homes and will share in $520 million, which has been reserved for infrastructure such as critical road upgrades, active transport links and open spaces.

There will also be special entertainment precincts as part of the accelerated TODs to support live entertainment, with extended trading hours for live music venues and “favourable noise controls”.

The Minns government needs to build 377,000 new homes in the next five years and has unveiled sweeping planning reforms to reach those targets.

This includes 37 TOD locations around stations, a pattern book to deliver more homes faster, the first stage of the low and mid-rise reforms, extra planning powers for government agencies and council league tables.

Minister for Planning Paul Scully said the reforms had been “progressive and extensive”.

“These additional three precincts will help to deliver more well-located homes, close to transport and amenities, that are also close to new job opportunities as each of the rezonings enable a mix of residential and non-residential land uses, placing good homes and jobs at their core,” he said.

“These precincts provide more homes for all stages of life, whether people are renting, downsizing, or jumping on the property ladder.”

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