The New South Wales Government has announced the first tranche of sites allocated for social and affordable housing as part of the 2024-25 Budget.
In the recent State Budget, the State Government announced it will deliver up to 30,000 well located homes, close to infrastructure and transport, with amenities and work opportunities, with surplus land to be made available for housing over the next four years.
Following a comprehensive statewide audit of government land, a former clothing store precinct in the heart of Sydney is among the first of four sites identified as being suitable to deliver social and affordable housing stock.
Located in the Carriageworks Precinct in North Eveleigh, the sub-precinct is situated close to essential infrastructure and services like train stations, shops and open spaces.
To be developed by Homes NSW, this site will allow for approximately 500 new dwellings to be built, 50 per cent of which will be social and affordable homes.
Planning, due diligence and design work have begun prior to construction.
A further three sites that will be made available for housing include:
- 301 Samantha Riley Drive, Kellyville: currently this site, located adjacent to Rouse Hill Metro station, is expected to deliver between 75-83 new homes, 50 per cent of which will be social and affordable, to be delivered by Homes NSW
- 72, 82 and 86 Menangle Road, Camden: approximately ten social and affordable homes will be built on this site, delivered by Homes NSW
- WestConnex Dive site, Parramatta Road, Camperdown: more than 100 homes will be delivered in a mixed-use development on this site, to be delivered in partnership with the private sector
The New South Wales Government has said that it is determined to pull every lever to address the housing affordability and availability crisis in the state.
In a step to help those escaping family and domestic violence, more than 50 per cent of new homes will be built for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.
Now that these sites have been identified, further due diligence and planning will take place.
Additional sites assessed as suitable for housing delivery are expected to be announced over coming months.
New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, said that housing affordability and availability is the single biggest pressure facing the people of New South Wales, and that without an immediate, comprehensive intervention, Sydney is at risk of becoming a city with no young people.
“We are prioritising building better homes for New South Wales, to ensure we continue to address the housing crisis for renters, people wanting to enter the housing market, and the most vulnerable members of our community,” Premier Minns said.
“The site in North Eveleigh is an example of the importance of the property audit. Well located spaces, close to vital infrastructure and transport should not be left unused.”
New South Wales Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, said that without the land audit, these sites may have sat idle for decades but in just a few years there will be families and communities calling these places home.
“We had a very clear directive to scour the state for any possible piece of land that can be turned into housing and we’re delighted with the results so far,” Minister Jackson said.
New South Wales Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, said that the housing crisis needs to be addressed with a whole-of-government approach.
“The Property Audit is a complex process that has never been done before by the New South Wales Government for the purpose of delivering housing,” Minister Kamper said.
“The first tranche of sites from the Property Audit will assist the State Government in its plan to build 30,000 new homes, including 8,400 public homes.”
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