$50m infrastructure program to help housing
The New South Wales Government will enter into a partnership with local councils to increase housing supply, according to a $50 million program in the 2012/2013 State Budget.
Infrastructure payments would be offered to councils providing housing in areas close to jobs and transport under the Urban Activation Precincts Support Scheme, said planning and infrastructure minister Brad Hazzard.
This will also include opening up more housing for areas, Mr Hazzard said.
“The Government’s aim is to unlock housing supply in infill areas where they are needed most. An important step will be rezoning key sites for housing.
“The Urban Activation Precincts Support Scheme will deliver a much-needed boost in planning for new housing in existing urban areas and complements the work already being done by the Government to stimulate greenfield development opportunities,” he said. Mr Hazzard explained that in the past, areas zoned for residential housing has often been neglected by supporting infrastructure, leaving disconnected areas.
“This budget tackles that problem head on. Precincts identified through the scheme will not only help boost housing supply but will deliver more appealing and interconnected urban areas, where people will actually want to live.”
“The Government intends that a planning framework, relevant zonings and built form controls will be developed for each precinct reflecting local characteristics and needs,” he said.