Sixteen local councils from the North Coast to the Central West and the Riverina have secured a total of $3 million from the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund to deliver nearly 24,000 new homes to NSW regions.
The grants of up to $250,000 will be used to develop new housing strategies, preparation of infrastructure and servicing plans, and amendments to local environmental plans infrastructure and servicing plans.
As more people move out to regional NSW, the demand for rental accommodation and housing has made options more expensive and inaccessible.
Minister for planning and public spaces Paul Scully said the state government wanted to support vital efforts to speed up housing delivery for regional communities. These initiatives aim to bring forward the construction of more diverse and affordable housing, he added.
“Regional NSW plays an important role in the housing supply story for the state, and in making sure that NSW meets its targets under the National Housing Accord,” Scully said.
“These 16 grants will help deliver the important planning work needed to boost housing supply, affordability, and diversity and support growing regional communities.”
The Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund’s first round of grants saw $3.85 million allocated to 20 projects from 19 councils.
This included the development and implementation of Armidale Regional Council’s local strategy, and two Port Stephens Council projects for affordable planning and flood hazards mitigation for the Shoal Bay Precinct.
In addition to the local council grants, the NSW government has also backed the Urban Development Program, the Regional Housing Flying Squad, the Regional Housing Fund and the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund.
Scully said these measures were all designed to accelerate the delivery of homes through the planning system, support infrastructure to enable new houses, and support the work of regional councils.
“We are focused on better-coordinating housing and infrastructure delivery across the state while making sure regional homes are ready for the hazards of the future,” he said.
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