Reforms to Housing Delivery
In recent months, the NSW State Government has made several important policy reforms aimed at boosting housing supply. These include:
State Significant Rezoning Policy
Introduction of the State Significant Rezoning Policy which provides two distinct rezoning pathways:
State-led rezonings – designed for large-scale areas or precincts.
State-assessed rezoning proposals – for state significant sites and proposals with unreasonable delays
DPHI has announced 16 metropolitan and regional sites as state-led rezonings or state-assessed rezoning proposals. It will continue to monitor planning proposals currently in the system to identify those that are being delayed and will refer sites to an Evaluation Panel twice a year (March and September) against set criteria.
In addition, DPHI “will occasionally identify additional sites at other times” although it is unclear how this will work in practice.
More information can be found at https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plans-for-your-area/state-significant-rezoning-policy
Industry Specific SEARs for Housing
On 20 December 2024, DPHI released new industry-specific SEARs for housing, which replace the SEARs for in-fill affordable housing. The new SEARs are aimed at streamlining the SEARs process by removing the requirement for some reports (including CPTED, Green Travel Plan) and relaxing requirements on 13 other documents, only being identified as “if required” and no longer mandatory.
More information can be found at https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-12/planning-secretarys-environmental-assessment-requirements-housing.pdf
Housing Delivery Authority
On 8 January 2025, the government announced the establishment of the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) to lead a new streamlined SSD pathway for major residential developments. These include projects valued at over approximately $60 million in Greater Sydney (on average 100 or more homes) and $30 million (on average 40 or more homes) in regional NSW.
Applicants can submit an EOI to the Authority for such a project to be assessed as SSD, against the following objectives:
Identify high-yield housing proposals by focusing on known high-yield types of residential accommodation.
Identify housing projects that can be assessed and constructed quickly by focusing on more compliant, major residential proposals that can commence construction quickly.
Drive quality and affordable housing by focusing on housing development proposals that are well-located, have enabling infrastructure and contribute to affordable housing supply.
Complement the State Significant Rezoning Policy by providing a potential pathway for major residential proposals that are seeking concurrent rezoning (spot rezoning).
The EOI process has now commenced and Keylan has already made several applications on behalf of our clients.
More information can be found at https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/housing-delivery-authority