Pledge to protect koalas as massive housing development near Sydney given the go-ahead

One of the state’s largest housing proposals has finally been given approval to proceed, with land for almost 13,000 new homes south of Sydney rezoned after a near-decade long battle.

One of the state’s largest housing proposals has finally been given the green tick to proceed, with land for almost 13,000 new homes south of Sydney rezoned after a near-decade long battle and as NSW stares down the barrel of a 130,000 home shortfall.

Planning Minister Paul Scully signed off on a proposal to allow thousands of new homes to be built at Appin late last week, in a major planning breakthrough after the scheme was placed on a government fast track in November.

The 1,284 hectare site owned by developing giant Walker Corporation now includes zoning – the guidelines allowing what can be built on an area – for 12,900 homes.

More than a third of the site will be earmarked for conservation, with koala corridors to protect a key population of the marsupials, while Mr Scully said the homes would get transport, education and health services “in a timely manner” covered under a contribution system with developers.

It comes as NSW grapples with a housing shortfall of up 130,000 homes over the next five years, according to the most recent government estimates.

A render of what the early Appin precinct could look like.

NSW needs to build 314,000 new homes over the next five years – or 62,800 a year – but the planning department fears just 36,000 a year will be built in the coming years, leading to a 130,000 shortfall.

The land at Appin was placed on a priority list for fast-track assessment late last year by the former government as it looked to open up more space for housing around Sydney.

While environmental groups have raised concerns over the project, Mr Scully said the rezoning was consistent with advice from the state’s chief scientist and engineer.

More than 33 per cent of the land will be preserved for koala corridors, parks and natural bush.

He also pledged that another key concern over the project – a lack of infrastructure – would be addressed.

“The rezoning of land at Appin will provide for much-needed additional homes while reserving more than a third of the site for environmental and koala protection,” he said.

“The combination of planning requirements and the reformed infrastructure contributions scheme to come into effect from 1 October will mean that the infrastructure needed to support those homes will be delivered in a timely manner.”

The Walker-owned land was one of several applications to be placed on a fast-track list for potential rezonings in November.

The rezoning means the company will now finish a masterplan for the site before submitting additional plans to build thousands of homes.

The company has previously developed a 250-home neighbourhood in Appin while it has also lodged another separate application to build another similarly-sized development nearby.

Other housing proposals for land nearby owned by Ingham and Lendlease were also placed on the fast-track list.

A Walker spokesman said their planning proposal, which was first lodged in 2014, would provide “critical housing for Sydneysiders” and would remain surrounded by bush.

“Over 33 per cent of the site will be dedicated for conservation lands which is the largest conservation dedication plan in the Sydney basin. Appin will remain surrounded by pristine and protected natural vegetation, hills, valleys and gorges,” he said.