Housing bonanza: 19,000 new homes coming to Sydney

As NSW grapples with a crippling housing shortage intensified by natural disasters and slow councils — the NSW Government is fast-tracking a proposal to build 19,000 homes in Sydney.

Thousands of new homes will be built in southwest Sydney as the NSW Government fast-tracks supply in the middle of soaring housing ­unaffordability.

Three large housing proposals – with 19,000 homes between them – will be lodged shortly as part of the government’s $2.8bn investment to tackle a shortage of homes exacerbated by slow council approvals and natural disasters.

Under the plan, almost 13,000 homes, including affordable housing, will be set up in Appin by Walker Corporation – sitting between Campbelltown CBD and the Illawarra’s coastline.

As house prices in Wollongong and surrounds hit record highs and councils in the north and east fail to act on housing targets – the Appin development will be an option for first-home buyers.

The major project will also be one of the only greenfield developments with a coastal lifestyle, with Sydney’s beachside real estate remaining an unattainable reality for most first-home buyers.

Thousands of new homes will be build in southwest Sydney.

The federal government committed to building 1 million new homes in its October budget in a landmark partnership with the states and private investors.

Housing Minister Anthony Roberts said the three new proposals would also secure the protection and creation of important koala corridors in the region.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

In addition to Appin, 3000 new homes will be built on a 300ha property in Ousedale Creek near Menangle by Ingham’s Property Group.

Another 3300 homes are planned for another 876ha site, along with a school and public open spaces.

The plans include more affordable house. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Roberts said planning proposals are normally lodged with councils in the first instance, but the state government would assess these proposals given their combined significance, complexity, and strong housing and environmental benefits if approved.

The move to leapfrog the councils follows sustained scrutiny of many Sydney councils for failing to meet even the most basic housing targets.

“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.”

Greater Western Sydney is one of the largest-growing areas in Australia, with the population projected to hit 3 million people by 2036.