5 Wollongong, Central Coast and Sydney suburbs earmarked for development

This will allow for increased building heights and density in these suburbs – and follows the launch of high-density development plans for Kellyville, Bella Vista, Hornsby, Macquarie Park, Crows Nest, Bankstown, and Homebush.

According to the government, the changes will permit the construction of new residential flat buildings and shop top housing, and includes mandatory affordable housing provisions for developments over 2,000 square metres.

“These planning reforms are part of the Minns Labor government’s efforts to confront the housing crisis by reforming the planning system, building more social and affordable housing through the largest ever investment in NSW history and reforming rental laws by banning no-grounds evictions,” it was reported.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said it was part of the government’s commitment “to confronting the housing crisis head on”.

“It’s great to see councils looking out for their communities and working with us to find ways to provide more homes for every resident, current and future,” he shared.

The latest planning changes from the government follows the release of a Productivity Commission report that showed between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained.

Stressing that these are the people who open businesses, have families, build our communities and contribute to local economy, the Department of Planning said it’s “not a situation that is tolerable”.

“We can’t sit back and do nothing.”

Reflecting on the new planning changes, Minister Scully believes “the homes that will result from these rezoning will be well-located close to transport, services and jobs, in existing communities where people want to live”.

So, what do the latest planning changes mean for each of the suburbs and the transit-oriented development (TOD)?

Dapto

Wollongong’s five-year housing target includes 9,200 new homes over the next five years.

According to the Department of Planning, Dapto TOD will join the Corrimal TOD to help deliver more homes, with the Dapto TOD perimeter extended approximately 800 metres to the east of the train station to the Southern Freeway.

This was nominated by Wollongong Council to ensure Dapto’s housing capacity can be achieved, with the precinct’s perimeter reduced on the western side of the train line to avoid flood-affected and environmentally sensitive land.

Thanks to the changes, Dapto may be able to deliver around 3,450 homes over 15 years.

Gosford

The Central Coast has a housing target of 9,400 new homes over the next five years.

To achieve this, nine additional lots have been proposed as joining the Gosford TOD precinct.

The department has pointed out that three of the sites are located on the north-western corner of the precinct, with another six located on the south-western corner.

Thanks to the changes, Gosford Station’s surrounds could support an estimated 5,850 new homes over the next 15 years.

Tuggerah

Eight new lots have been proposed for the Tuggerah TOD.

As recommended by Central Coast Council, the inclusion of these lots “will provide a logical boundary between the TOD precinct and surrounding areas, while also making sure that no isolated sites remain outside the precinct”.

Thanks to the changes, 1,600 new homes could be built in the precinct over a 15-year period.

Rockdale and Banksia

The Bayside housing target sits at 10,100 new homes over the next five years.

Following a submission from council, Rockdale and Banksia TOD precincts will include land between Rockdale and Banksia train stations, given how close the stations are to one another.

Rockdale’s precinct will also be extended to the south-east to include an area bordered by Pitt Street, Bay Street and Cameron Street, as nominated by the Bayside Council for possible development.

Thanks to the changes, these areas could support an additional 11,300 homes over 15 years.