Housing Taskforce a Win for Improved Supply 

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Thursday 14 November 2024

MEDIA RELEASE 

Housing Taskforce a Win for Improved Supply 

The Property Council of Australia today welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a new Housing Taskforce designed to streamline development approvals (DAs) and cut through bureaucratic roadblocks in the planning system.

NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson said the move responded to the Property Council’s calls for a dedicated program to tackle the backlog of residential DAs stuck in the system.

“This is a positive and significant step toward meeting NSW’s critical housing supply targets,” Ms Stevenson said.

“The Property Council’s Pre-Budget submission earlier this year highlighted the need for a better coordinated approach to resolve blockages and prevent projects from stalling due to multi-agency requirements and overlapping processes.

“We’ve advocated consistently for the urgent need to address the growing backlog of residential developments stuck in NSW’s planning system and this new, permanent Housing Taskforce will help towards a more efficient and responsive planning system,” she said.

Ms Stevenson said that while the Housing Taskforce was an essential step forward, continued action was needed to drive lasting improvement in housing delivery.

“Accelerating approvals is critical, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle,” Ms Stevenson said.

“While this is a big win for the industry and a vital move to address housing availability and affordability for the people of NSW, we need to see continued momentum.

“The Minns Government needs to step up the pace on other systemic barriers in the planning system, including modernising council processes, expanding digital planning tools, broadening the scope of state-significant pathways for large-scale housing projects, and enhancing agency collaboration at all stages of development.

“The Property Council will continue to work closely with the government to support the effective implementation of the Taskforce, as well as further reforms to enhance planning efficiency across the board,” she said.

ENDS

Media: Andrew Parkinson | 0404 615 596 | [email protected]