The approval of the rezoning request for the Tolland Renewal Project is set to deliver nearly 500 new homes for the Wagga Wagga community, 40 per cent of which will be new, modern social and affordable housing.
The Homes NSW planning proposal includes a diverse mix of housing types and will also include housing for seniors and First Nations people alongside new private market homes.
As part of the New South Wales Government’s commitment to deliver the infrastructure and amenities that help build better communities, the proposal will also see a revised street layout and more public open space for residents and locals.
Once commenced, Homes NSW expects the project to be delivered in stages over the next ten years, with the first stage of subdivision works expected to be completed during 2026. Over its life, the project is expected to create 1,200 construction jobs, boosting the regional economy.
The Tolland Estate was originally built in the 1970s which means the new homes within the redevelopment will also reduce ongoing maintenance expenses associated with older homes and provide improved facilities and amenity for existing and new social housing tenants.
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said that the New South Wales Government remains committed to boosting housing supply, providing diverse housing options and increasing social housing in metropolitan and regional New South Wales.
“Tolland Estate will be revitalised over the coming years, modernising the local area and benefiting the surrounding community by putting a roof over the heads of many vulnerable people in Wagga Wagga,” Minister Scully said.
New South Wales Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, said that there is high community demand to progress this redevelopment and that’s exactly what the government is doing.
“We’re delivering this project in stages and will ensure that all current social housing residents are appropriately relocated and can return once the development is complete,” Minister Jackson said.
“Once built, the Tolland Estate redevelopment will deliver modern single and double storey homes for both social and private residents. These new homes will be easier to maintain and run, fostering community while fitting seamlessly into the local streetscape.
“This is further evidence of the State Government acting on our commitment to tackle the housing crisis and build safe, good quality, accessible homes for people who need them most.”
The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Joe McGirr, said that this project will be transformative for Tolland, so planning approval is an important step towards delivering better housing opportunities and a rejuvenation of the suburb for many hundreds of residents.
“This is a project I have been passionate about since I began as the local member. I welcome this next step,” Dr McGirr said.
“The priority now is to ensure that work on the first stages of the project proceed smoothly so that houses earmarked for removal can be efficiently demolished to make way for modern, purpose-built social and affordable homes for local people and that the suburb is kept safe, with ongoing maintenance carried out.”
