The New South Wales Government’s latest major planning reform has already enabled 135 affordable homes to be approved for Landcom’s Lachlan Line development at Macquarie Park.
This is the first development to be approved through the new State Significant Development (SSD) pathway for in-fill affordable housing projects, that the State Government introduced in December 2023 to make it faster and easier to build more affordable housing.
These reforms are a key pillar of the New South Wales Government’s plans to tackle the state’s housing crisis and deliver affordable homes in well-located areas close to transport, jobs and amenities.
In February 2024, Landcom, in partnership with Link Wentworth, lodged an SSD application with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to build 100 per cent affordable housing dwellings, which has now been approved.
There are currently another ten projects which have been lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure through this SSD pathway that are under assessment which if approved, could deliver over 800 more affordable homes.
With approvals secured, Link Wentworth will look to begin work in 2026 on the 135 affordable homes, with residents expected to be able to move in from 2028.
This project also utilises another new planning pathway that the State Government has introduced to enable Landcom, or delivery partners on their behalf such as a Community Housing Provider, to access an SSD pathway for projects of more than 75 dwellings which have at least 50 per cent affordable housing.
Lachlan’s Line forms the northern end of the North Ryde Station Precinct which was rezoned for high-density residential development, mixed-use development and public open space in 2013.
The former industrial area will supply approximately 2,700 homes near two metro stations, a bus interchange and the M2 Motorway.
Landcom selected Link Wentworth to partner with and provide the affordable housing dwellings.
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said that the State Government is delivering on its commitment to confront the housing crisis by supporting more affordable housing so key workers can afford to live close to their jobs.
“It’s great to see the approval pathway creating affordable housing in places where people want to live, closer to jobs, transport and amenities,” Minister Scully said.
“Landcom is well-placed to increase the delivery of more affordable housing across New South Wales. Granting State Significant Development status to developments that include affordable housing has allowed faster decisions on this important project.”
Landcom CEO, Alex Wendler, said that Landcom partnered with Link Wentworth using an innovative approach which will deliver new affordable homes for up to 270 new residents.
“The planning reforms have been incredibly successful in delivering quicker approvals and we look forward to partnering with the sector and industry to deliver more housing,” Mr Wendler said.
Link Wentworth CEO, Andrew McAnulty, said, “We are delighted to be working with the State Government to bring forward the delivery of these well located new affordable homes.”
