The second group of the NSW Government’s rezoning plans for Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Accelerated Precincts has been announced, including Bankstown, Crows Nest and Homebush.
The move comes after the addition to the TOD Accelerated Precincts at Kellyville, Bella Vista, Hornsby and Macquarie Park announced last week. The new additionss are set to deliver up to 31,855 new homes, including up to 3,348 affordable homes, and supported by more than 20,000 jobs.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the TOD Accelerated Precincts are part of a suit of interrelated planning reforms.
“These additional three precincts will help to deliver more well-located homes, close to transport and amenities, that are also close to new job opportunities as each of the rezonings enable a mix of residential and non-residential land uses, placing good homes and jobs at their core.
“These precincts provide more homes for all stages of life, whether people are renting, downsizing, or jumping on the property ladder for the first time.”
Property Council of Australia NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson said the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) was setting a strong pace on the rezonings, due to be finalised by the end of the year.
“Faster, smarter planning means more homes sooner. As one of the lead advocates for this major urban planning reform, we’re thrilled to see government setting a strong pace with Transport Oriented Development.
“These 7 precincts are set to unlock the potential for up to 47,800 new homes in the next 15 years, all close to transport, jobs and services, and supported by appropriate community infrastructure.”
Ms Stevenson said the Property Council had worked closely with DPHI in the last 12 months to fine-tune the details of the TOD approach.
“Delivering on our National Housing Accord target is a shared responsibility, and we’ll only get there through ongoing and close collaboration between all levels of government and industry.
“With cold economic headwinds blowing through the construction sector and impacting project feasibility, we need to make sure we’re working hand in hand to get these new homes built.”
Ms Stevenson said DPHI and other government agencies would be taking questions from the Upper House Inquiry into Development of the TOD when it meets on Wednesday next week (24 July).
“We need to keep up the momentum and it’s important to stay agile and ready to consider fresh thinking and changing circumstances, so the Inquiry’s scrutiny on the program is welcome.
“Our submission to the Inquiry included a call for government to release quickly the next tranche of sites to be progressed under the TOD Program in Q2 2024.
“This kind of clarity on future sites would help industry better orientate their capital, labour and planning for the forward in-fill residential pipeline,” Ms Stevenson said.
The news comes as NSW councils will now be ranked on a league table showing their progress on reaching housing targets.
The government has also issued a revised Statement of Expectations Order, establishing new benchmarks for council performance in development assessment, planning proposals and strategic planning.
“Councils approve the vast majority of residential development in our State, so tracking their performance is critical if we together want to meet our housing targets. But we will also track the performance of the State government as well to hold ourselves to account,” Minister Scully said.
“The updated Statement of Expectations, alongside improved monitoring, reporting, support and compliance initiatives will help councils and the State to speed up development assessments and improve transparency and accountability in the planning process.
“The NSW Government will work collaboratively with councils and support them to meet assessment expectations.”
NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said the government has instituted measures to support councils but will step in if there are underperforming councils.
“As Minister for Local Government I have the authority to issue Performance Improvements Orders to councils to rectify issues of ongoing underperformance.
“The NSW Government is serious about addressing the housing crisis and while this is a last resort, we will explore every avenue available to us in order to build more homes.”