The NSW Government is now starting the process of fast-tracking new housing projects. Picture: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
THE NSW Government’s new Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) says it now has 29 project proposals for more than 15,000 homes in line for fast-track approval.
The authority has met twice so far this year, according to government.
In its most recent meeting, 18 proposals to build more than 8600 homes were declared to be State Significant Developments (SSDs) by Planning Minister Paul Scully. The 18 were chosen from 39 proposals received.
A SSD declaration for each proposal means their development application will be assessed directly by the Planning Department, bypassing councils, with concurrent rezoning and assessment.
The government says the HDA received over 200 expressions of interest since it first invited proposals in January.
The Authority is expected to prioritise housing projects that have detailed plans for for submission within nine months and construction start date within 12 months of approval.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says fast-tracking the proposals will help deliver housing the state “desperately needs”.
“The Housing Delivery Authority is a major change that is already making it easier and faster to get started,” he says.
“Without our changes to increase housing supply, Sydney risks becoming a city without a future because it’s simply too expensive to put a roof over your head.”
Scully says it is “pleasing” to see the quality of the housing proposals referred to him for SSD declaration by the HDA.
“The quality of proposals recommended to me by the HDA shows that developers are hearing the message, we’re looking for major housing developments that can get out of the ground quickly,” he says.
The SSD applications will be publicly displayed before a decision is made by the planning department after getting local council advice, government says.
- The government also says other reforms to the planning process include:
- A new Housing Pattern Book with designs and guidelines for new terrace houses, dual occupancy homes, low-rise apartments (up to two storeys) and mid-rise apartments (3 to 6 storeys).
- Faster planning pathway for those using pre-approved patterns.
- Rezoning around transport hubs.
- $200m in financial incentives for councils to comply with the new planning requirements.
- $450m to build new apartments for essential workers.
Once a project has been declared SSD, the proponent will be issued with an environmental assessment requirements and have nine months to draw up an impact statement or lose their assessment requirement.
The HDA is accepting expressions of interest for residential developments above $60 million in metropolitan areas and $30 million in regional NSW.
For more details, visit the Housing Delivery Authority website.
