The suburbs where new housing density will double under revised plan

Some parts of Sydney could be twice as densely populated than previously planned after the government revealed major zoning changes around the city’s major transport hubs.

A government masterplan of its signature transport-orientated development (TOD) policy shows six “accelerated” precincts will have the capacity to provide nearly 60,000 homes, while more than $500 million will be spent on trees, parks and community facilities.

How density might double: An artist’s impression of masterplans and rezonings finalised for TOD-accelerated precincts.

In each precinct, the rezoning allows for mid- to high-rise development within 1200 metres of major train and metro stations and forms a key part of the government’s plan to increase housing supply and address worsening affordability issues in Sydney.

The number of dwellings zoned to be built in Macquarie Park doubled in the rezoning to 9600, while those allowed to be built around the metro station at Crows Nest jumped from 2900 to 5900.

Bankstown, Hornsby and Homebush will be zoned for at least an extra 1000 dwellings each in the final masterplan.

But the area around Kellyville and Bella Vista, which a previous proposal suggested zoning for 20,700 new homes, escaped massive extra density. After public consultation, it had its capacity dramatically slashed to 4600.

Each precinct will benefit from $520 million set aside for new parks, transport infrastructure and community facilities. In Hornsby and Crows Nest, the tree canopy will increase.

Each precinct will also have zoning for 3 per cent affordable housing, available to very low- to moderate-income households. The rezonings include space for schools, health services, public parks, and options for councils to nominate special entertainment precincts.

“These precincts will deliver a mix of housing, new open spaces and playing fields – they’ll be great communities for families to build a life,” Premier Chris Minns said.

An aerial view of the Bankstown transport-oriented development accelerated precinct.Credit: NSW government

For Bays West, also an “accelerated precinct”, the masterplan will be released next year.

Local councils have opposed the plans to increase density, taking legal action to stop the rezoning. Meanwhile, the NSW Liberal Party attempted to thwart the government’s signature housing policy by introducing a bill to abolish the TOD locations.

The property industry has also warned it might not be feasible to build the new apartments and sell them at prices potential residents are willing to pay west of Sydney’s so-called “latte line”.

NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully took a swipe at the former government for failing to better plan housing before the opening of the metro.

The government will spend half a billion dollars on parks and community facilities.

“We made an election commitment to rebalance Sydney’s housing growth around existing transport infrastructure, and today we’re delivering the blueprint for those homes,” he said.

“This is work that should have been undertaken by the previous government when the metro was being built, but wasn’t.”

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