Regional New South Wales is at the heart of the NSW Government’s 2022 Housing Package with almost $328 million to improve housing supply and ensure locals and key workers moving to the regions have a place to call home.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the investment would increase housing across the State by fast-tracking planning, building new homes, upgrading social housing, bolstering key worker accommodation and unlocking government-owned land.
“We know housing is one of the biggest limiting factors in attracting workers and driving further growth in the regions, which is why we’re investing an extra $327.8 million to tackle this issue with practical solutions,” Mr Toole said.
“It includes $174 million to deliver more than 270 new homes for teachers, nurses and police, ensuring we’re looking after the people caring for our communities.
“Developing new housing is complex, and this package will ensure we get the many parts of the system working together, including councils, industry, developers and community housing providers.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said regional housing was a priority with up-front planning, coordinated infrastructure delivery and a pipeline of development-ready land key to building more homes.
“We know the key to unlocking housing in regional New South Wales is the delivery of critical infrastructure, which is why we’re investing $120 million to build transformational infrastructure that will unlock new homes in the regions,” Mr Kean said.
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the funding would support the delivery of prioritised infrastructure by local governments to pave the way for thousands of regional homes in the next four years.
“We’re also focusing on implementing the recommendations of the Regional Housing Taskforce, which is why we are investing $33.8 million to help regional councils plan for growth by providing up-front strategic planning grants and the expansion of the urban development program to bring together infrastructure providers, industry and planners to actively manage and unblock the housing supply pipeline,” Mr Roberts said.
“In 2021, the NSW Government launched the Regional Housing Taskforce to address regional housing pressures and identify recommendations to boost housing supply and affordability. Our package responds to the recommendations of the Taskforce.
“This investment will deliver more land for homes sooner and different types of homes to meet the community’s needs, as well as provide certainty to attract investment and better data to make sure the right homes are built in the right places.”
