NSW towns that will win big in plan for cheaper homes, more jobs

NSW is set to be transformed into a six-city state — and The Daily Telegraph can reveal the ambitious ways the government is planning to create thousands of jobs and more cheap homes.

NSW will be thriving economy of six cities — encompassing Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast and Greater Sydney — with a fast rail, ambitious affordable housing targets for every local area, more apartments and townhouses, and more defence and space jobs under a bold new plan from Premier Dominic Perrottet.

The state government and the Greater Cities Commission will on Thursday unveil its discussion paper on the six-city plan — a vision Mr Perrottet first revealed at The Daily Telegraph’s Bradfield Oration.

More defence and space jobs will be brought into the regions under ambitious job targets set for each of the six cities.

The Telegraph revealed on Wednesday Mr Perrottet is pushing for a new subs base to be based in Newcastle or Wollongong, with the final decision on location to rest with the Commonwealth.

To house workers for the new jobs, and to support aggressive international immigration in coming years, at least 25 per cent of a local government area’s housing target will be apartments, townhouses and boarding houses in locations close to public transport and amenities.

Wollongong is set to boom under the six-cities plan. Picture: Supplied

The report called on all levels of government to work together to incentivise councils to meet the new housing targets to meet demands.

“This is a blueprint to better connect and create more liveable cities across NSW as well as providing more access to services and opening new doors for businesses to thrive,” Mr Perrottet said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has unveiled his ambitious plan for the state. Picture: Toby Zerna

“This is the next step in establishing a globally competitive city region with more jobs, housing, education opportunities and lifestyle benefits, bettering the lives of everyone across the Six Cities.

“Our ambitious vision includes unlocking new opportunities for businesses across the region in traditional industries and also in the industries of the future such as defence technology, aerospace, medtech and renewable energy.”

Cities Minister Rob Stokes said the focus on affordable and diverse housing was necessary to keep up with growing migration.

“Housing targets need to be more ambitious to address supply challenges and I want to ensure that all new residential development on Government land includes 30 per cent social, affordable and diverse housing,” Mr Stokes said.

Newcastle will also benefit from cheaper homes and more jobs under the new vision. Picture: Supplied

“With more migrants set to settle in the Six Cities – our plans will include targets to achieve the housing we need.

“We also have to reduce our dependence on cars and provide more safe options for people to walk or cycle. In order to achieve that we need to continue to plan and invest in the right active transport infrastructure.”

Peak body Committee of Sydney’s Transport Adviser Harri Bancroft said the plan was a “fantastic promise of things to come”.

“Fast rail connections to the Central Coast and Newcastle, through Parramatta and down to Wollongong and the Illawarra are key to enabling the huge economic opportunities that will flow from planning at the Sandstone Megaregion scale,” she said.

“It’s great to see the proposed targets for more housing around strategic centres and transport hubs.”

The new plan is now up for community and stakeholder consultation.