NSROC councils stand ready to support the Minns government to respond to the housing crisis facing NSW. There is no better way to do this than by continuing the excellent work already in train with the Greater Cities Commission (GCC).
The planning undertaken by the GCC ensured that Greater Sydney continued to be a healthy, liveable, economic powerhouse for NSW. The regional plans finalised by the GCC in 2018 were welcomed by local councils and provided a strategic blueprint for our growing communities. Our councils had already accepted higher housing targets than previous due in no small part to the hard work of the Commissioners and staff of the GCC.
The GCC housing target of 92,000 new homes over the next five years, which included all NSROC councils, has been thrown out the window by the Minns government. This decision is motivated by politics and the desire to meet the aspirations of developers. It will not meet the needs of the people and communities the Minns government is supposed to serve.
The Premier declaring a housing crisis does not provide a licence to ignore the basics of good planning nor to set arbitrary targets that the building industry cannot achieve and the existing infrastructure cannot support
“The planning and consultation undertaken by the GCC ensures that increases in housing supply are supported by other important infrastructure including schools, hospitals and recreation space” said Mayor Carolyn Corrigan Mayor of Mosman Council and President of NSROC.
“The Acting Chief Commissioner and Eastern Harbour City Commissioner, Dr Deborah Dearing, always worked collaboratively with NSROC councils and provided a superior level of expertise in urban design and strategic land use planning that will be sorely missed”.
The GCC provided independent evidence-based advice that crossed state agency silos to facilitate city wide growth without compromising liveability. Today’s announcement by the Premier will severely dilute local communities’ and councils’ capacity to influence the amenity of their neighbourhoods.
Our communities feel a collective anxiety about increasing density without proper strategic planning when current infrastructure, amenity and open spaces, are already under significant pressure.
NSROC councils urge the Premier to reverse this decision and allow the GCC to continue its valuable work with councils and agencies to address the critical housing supply issues facing NSW. NSROC councils are prepared to deliver against housing targets that are evidence based and accompanied by appropriate supporting infrastructure.
