More than 500 people across regional NSW participated in the Regional Housing Taskforce virtual roadshow and shared ideas as to how the NSW Government can unlock much-needed housing in regional communities.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said despite the current lockdown, the taskforce had been overwhelmed by participation in the two-week virtual roadshow.
“We asked the taskforce to investigate the drivers of housing pressure in the regions and by the sheer level of community interest, I’m optimistic we will have a clear picture of the unique housing challenges in each region,” Mr Stokes said.
“The taskforce will take what they’ve heard and develop recommendations for how we can deliver innovative solutions to create more housing opportunities.
“I thank everyone who shared their experiences and ideas, particularly as regional NSW entered lockdown just as the virtual roadshow started.”
The housing crisis doesn’t need experts to work out why there is a shortage. Councils work with the State Government on Local Environment Plans, which are often driven by local communities and then signed off by State Governments.
Put simply the lack of land released through these LEPs results in high prices and lack of supply by the State Government themselves.
To hold conferences to find out what is needed is an insult to people both in rural and regional communities.
However, Chair of the Regional Housing Taskforce, Garry Fielding, said the community’s feedback will help to guide the future of housing along the coast and in the bush.
“By listening to the community’s views, the taskforce has gained plenty of information and new ways to improve housing opportunities for our regions,” Mr Field-ing said.
“Despite COVID, the switch to online meetings gave us better reach and allowed more people to be able to contribute.”
Some of the ideas from the community included a partnership model between government, councils and industry to better coordinate housing infrastructure and changes to local planning rules to allow more medium density housing in town centres.
The Regional Housing Taskforce will prepare an independent report to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces on how the planning system can be better utilised to address housing needs in the regions.
