$11.5m program to fast-track local housing delivery

The funding will build on the $2.8 billion 2022 Housing Package announced in this year’s budget, intended on helping councils drive for more local housing delivery, according to the Premier.

Minister for Regional NSW and Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the support includes the introduction of a Regional Housing Flying Squad, which would “help regional councils clear development applications faster and speed up the delivery times of new homes”.

Mr Toole stated “a flying squad of experts” will be brought in to help councils review development applications faster so that they can move projects into construction due to the shortage of qualified planners in some parts of NSW.

“We trialled this approach earlier in the year so we know it works. We’re now expanding it to ensure we are making an impact in the communities that need it most,” Mr Toole said.

The Regional Housing Flying Squad is on track to assess more than 2,400 new homes, which would save hundreds of hours of council planners’ time according to Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts.

Mr Roberts stated that councils have struggled recently due to skill shortages, COVID-19, bushfires and flooding across the state, which have all contributed to a local planning backlog and an increase in average assessment times for local DAs, rising from 69 days to 85 days between July 2021 and July 2022.

As of 15 September 2022, there were a total of 107 housing rezoning proposals currently under assessment with the potential for 87,583 rezoning lots, according to Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman.

“There were also nearly 10,000 residential development applications under assessment with the potential to deliver some 82,842 homes,” Ms Tuckerman said.

“The Unblocking Homes program will see the NSW Government partner with councils to resolve issues in complex assessments.

“This will help tackle the backlog and fast-track approvals to deliver more housing more quickly for our growing and diverse population — including social and affordable housing for people in need, Aboriginal communities and seniors.”

The Perrottet government unveiled a $780.4 million program earlier this year as another component of the $2.8 billion housing package aimed at helping certain key workers, single parents and older singles buy homes.

The shared equity scheme proposed to contribute a share of up to 40 per cent for a new property or 30 per cent of an existing property purchased by eligible buyers.

[RELATED: NSW to trial shared equity home ownership scheme]