The New South Wales Government has announced that an additional ten government-owned properties will be developed into 1,100 new homes as part of its land audit.
The State Government is identifying surplus land no longer required by government in both metropolitan and regional areas that will now be made available for much needed housing.
This is part of the New South Wales Government’s commitment in the recent budget to deliver up to 30,000 well-located homes, close to infrastructure and transport including through a historic $5.1 billion investment in new public housing.
The latest sites identified as suitable for housing include nine sites across Sydney and one site in Newcastle.
Three sites across Woolloomooloo, Sydney Olympic Park, and Hurstville will be transferred to Homes NSW and will deliver nearly 600 homes with more than 50 per cent anticipated to be social homes.
Sites at Marsfield, Seaforth, Minto, Newcastle and three sites at Arncliffe, will be developed into housing by either Landcom or in partnership with the private sector.
The final mix and quantity of housing on these sites, as well as the development partner, will be confirmed following further due diligence and market sounding, which will take place over the coming months.
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, said that getting more homes built for families in well located areas is top priority for the government and releasing surplus land for housing is a key part of its plan to make this a reality.
“Housing costs are the single largest cost of living pressure faced by people across New South Wales and we are committed to confronting this head on,” Premier Minns said.
“Young people will continue to up and leave our state because they can’t afford to buy or even rent a home here, if we don’t take action.”
A recent Productivity Commission report found that, between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained.
New South Wales Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, said that the State Government is pulling every lever to unlock the delivery of housing because it understands the need to increase supply.
“Through the property audit, we are undertaking a process that has never been done before by the state government,” minister Kamper said.
“The property audit is working across departments and agencies to activate surplus government land to deliver the homes our communities need.”
New South Wales Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Rose Jackson, said that unlocking government-owned land for housing is a crucial step in tackling the housing crisis head-on.
“We’re making sure these homes are built in areas with the infrastructure people need – near transport, schools, and essential services,” Minister Jackson said.
“For too long, finding affordable homes in well-located areas has been out of reach for many. This land release is a clear sign that we are committed to delivering real housing solutions for families across New South Wales.”
