Power shift: NSW councils sidelined in bid to fast-track housing
Councils in NSW will now be removed from certain stages in the building approvals process with the opening of the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).
Unveiled in December 2024, the HDA will establish a streamlined proposal process for major housing projects, removing local councils from certain approval stages.
The move aims to accelerate the delivery of well-located homes for young people, families and key local workers.
Under the move, developers can now submit expressions of interest (EOI) for their projects to be declared state significant developments (SSDs).
The Department of Planning explained that SSDs are projects that are considered important for economic, environmental or social reasons, with the authority developing a new process for consideration of rezoning.
The EOI criteria to be considered an SSD include high-yield housing potential, quick commencement timelines, and contributions to affordable, well-located housing near transport, jobs and amenities.
Proposals submitted through the ongoing EOI process will be reviewed monthly, ensuring developers have continuous opportunities for consideration.
According to the Department of Planning, following the developer’s application, the HDA will assess the EOI against relevant criteria where it will make a recommendation to the Minister for Planning. Following the minister’s determination, the development will then appear before the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure where it will again assess the application and host a public exhibition.
The state government has committed that the SSD and concurrent rezoning will be approved within 275 days.
Acting Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Anoulack Chanthivong, emphasised the Minns government’s commitment to getting a grip on the housing crisis.
“The Minns Labor government is pulling every lever to tackle the housing crisis and encourage developers to build and boost housing supply and overall affordability,” he said.
“The NSW government will do everything possible to build a better future for NSW so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.”
The HDA aims to free up resources and speed up approvals for smaller-scale projects by reducing the number of complex development applications handled by local councils.