More train stations could get six-storey surrounds as Planning Minister launches charm offensive on councils

The number of train stations which could get six-storey apartment blocks built around them could increase as the government announces a $62m infrastructure cash splash.

The number of train stations which could get six-storey apartment blocks built around them could increase from the 31 originally pinpointed by the state government, with Planning Minister Paul Scully confirming positive discussions with councils had led to some suggesting more stations for future development.

Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, the Minister – who is currently consulting with individual councils over plans to revamp planning controls around select train stations in their areas – said some authorities had flagged extra stations which could have zoning limits revamped.

“In my conversations with councils, there have been those who have said there might be other locations in their LGAs in the future. In that context, it's good strategic planning for the future,” he said.

Mr Scully said adding more transport oriented development (TOD) sites to the 31 announced in December “wouldn’t happen at the end of next week” but would form Sydney’s plans for growth in coming years.

“There are options that are being raised by councils – but we’ve also got to assess those in light of water, wastewater and other services to see if there’s capacity,” he said.

Planning Minister Paul Scully speaking during question time in NSW parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Adam Yip

“Should there be more (TODs) in the future? Yes there should, because aligning your housing around your transport system is a globally accepted (method).”

Mr Scully also said the crash or crash-through reforms announced by the NSW Government would be around long-term – not just for the five year housing accord between the states and the federal government which mandates 1.2 million homes need to be built across Australia in that time.

“We expect our planning changes to meet our housing accord targets. But the demand for housing won’t end on the 30th of June 2029 (when the national housing accord ends),” he said.

As part of their mantra to ramp up new home building around Sydney, the NSW Government will on Thursday reveal a $62.5 million funding splash for housing-related infrastructure focused on western Sydney.

The new infrastructure will support up to 135,000 new homes by funding the building and repairing of roads, improving stormwater drainage and building new parks.

The booming southwest Sydney area of Wollondilly will be the biggest beneficiary of the funding – with $21.64m in grants, while Blacktown and The Hills shire will get $4.54m.

“The previous government was always criticised about not putting infrastructure in where homes were built,” Mr Scully said.

“We’re performing this work to address the previous failure of government in their planning systems.”

Mr Scully wouldn’t be drawn on the impact of record migration on Sydney’s housing crisis, despite the 186,433 new entrants to NSW over the last year being the highest on record and 34 per cent of the national total in that time.

“We’ve just got to get on with the job,” he said.

After facing strident opposition from angry councils, the government has amended their plans to allow councils to decide if they want to build new homes elsewhere in their areas and not necessarily in the TODs nominated by the state government, but Mr Scully rejected the move was a backtrack.

“The one thing we always have to keep in mind is the question of why we’re doing this – we’re not doing this just to meet as housing target or to have a battle with various councils … there’s no denying there’s a housing crisis we need to deal with in NSW … so we’re making changes,” he said.

“We came to office and part of the reason we did was to confront the housing crisis. We want people to be able to live near to their jobs, near to their families, near to the communities they grew up in. No one would say it’s a good outcome if to visit your grandkids you have to travel three hours to the other side of the city … or if a nurse has to travel three hours each way to do a 12 hour shift on their feet.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]