NSW Government to rezone 10 areas to fast track approvals for 70,000 new homes

More than 70,000 extra homes will be given the green light in an attempt to tackle the NSW housing supply crisis. See which areas will be rezoned.

An extra 70 000 new homes are to be built in an effort to address Sydney’s housing crisis.

More than 70,000 extra homes will be given the green light by 2024 in a government blitz to tackle the NSW housing supply crisis.

The NSW Government is rolling out a $73.5 million initiative to take the lead from councils on significant precincts and rezone 10 areas for new housing.

“We are throwing everything at getting more houses built so more people get keys in doors and can realise their dream of owning a home,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

The majority of the 10 land rezonings will be in Western Sydney and will create the pathway for the approval of 70,000 new homes by 2024. Areas for rezoning include Camellia-Rosehill, Macquarie Park, Riverstone East, Orchard Hills and Parramatta North’s University and Northern sites.

“We are focusing our efforts on some of the fastest growing areas in Western Sydney to help more families get into homes sooner,” Mr Perrottet said.

Camellia main road, one of 10 areas to be rezoned under a NSW Government commitment to unlock 70,000 new homes across NSW. Picture: Supplied.

Under the Rezoning Pathways Program the NSW Government will assess major state or regionally significant planning proposals or drive rezoning work from start to finish.

“Working with councils, rezoning is one important lever that we are pulling to get the ball rolling on more housing supply across our state,” Mr Perrottet said.

Appin, another of the 10 areas to be rezoned. Picture: Supplied

The move was welcomed by the housing industry as an important step in addressing a statewide housing shortage of up to 100,000 homes that is driving up house prices.

It will also remove one layer of decision making from councils that has seen NSW become the go slow state with development applications taking up to four times longer than in any other state.

A NSW Treasury report three years ago delivered a damning verdict on the state’s planning system blaming it for pushing up house prices. It found medium density housing developments in NSW take 200 days compared to just 65 days in Western Australia.

It found high density commercial development applications in NSW took 410 days to complete compared with 105 days in Queensland, 75 days in Western Australia and 80 days in Victoria.

A future housing community in Woven Ways. Picture: Supplied

“The feedback from industry is that it has never been worse,” Tom Forrest, chief executive of the Urban Taskforce said in welcoming the government announcement. “After years of calling for exactly this the Premier and Planning Minister Anthony Roberts are taking action to tackle the housing supply crisis.

“We back the Planning Minister in taking the bold step to take control of the rezoning process from Councils for a solid number of high volume housing supply precincts.”

Mr Roberts said: “We’re creating a pipeline for tens of thousands more homes, giving more people in NSW the opportunity to put a roof over their heads.”

Another impression of a new community at Camellia. Picture: Supplied

It will also include precincts in Broadmeadow, Newcastle, Explorer Street, Eveleigh, as well as in Appin, North Appin and Gilead.

“This is all about accelerating the rezoning of key housing areas to make more land development-ready for new homes,” Mr Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said the program was part of the Government’s $2.8 billion housing package and included a pilot process for developers looking to build more than 1,000 homes in metropolitan areas and 300 homes in the regions.

“We want projects that can make a difference to our housing supply quickly, which is why we are seeking nominations for proposals that are well advanced with a planning proposal able to be submitted within two months,” Mr Roberts said.