NSW Adds TOD Sites in Drive to Fix Housing Crisis

Six more sites have been added to the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development planning reforms to pump up housing supply across Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter and Central Coast regions. 

Initially the Transport Oriented Development State Environmental Planning Policy (TOD SEPP) identified 31 train stations to help deliver 170,000 homes. 

But on April 12 the Government added Cardiff, Cockle Creek, Belmore, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Woy Woy to that list for amended planning controls within 400m of 37 metro and rail stations. 

More than three-quarters of the sites pinpointed for development would be finalised by the end of 2024, according to the Government, as it works with councils on this process. 

The NSW Government will also work with the Wollongong City Council to investigate Coniston and Unanderra as additional stations to be included once further analysis of the water and wastewater capacity is understood.

This masterplanning and detailed work means that local housing plans will be developed with the councils of Bayside, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cumberland, Georges River, Inner West, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Penrith and Wollongong.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the Government was committed to addressing the housing crisis, which had been “put in the too-hard basket” for too long. 

“If we don’t build more houses, young people will up and leave because they can’t afford a home in NSW. And if we lose our young people, we lose our future,” Minns said.

“Ensuring we have homes for young people across our state is a shared responsibility.”

▲ The station at Unanderra may be added to the TOD plans.

Planning and public space minister Paul Scully said he encouraged collaboration to help find appropriate housing sites for essential workers and families. 

“The principle that underpinned the discussions with councils is that any local plans must go beyond the NSW Government’s housing expectations, not backwards,” Scully said. 

“In addition, the Government’s reforms to state infrastructure contributions mean that the infrastructure investment needed to support housing growth in these areas will also be made.

“The TOD program is part of the biggest planning reforms this state has seen and will be a critical tool in meeting the growing demand for housing and improving affordability, especially for young people and families.”

As part of the TOD planning, eight key high-growth precincts were identified for accelerated rezoning and development. These were Bankstown, Bays West, Bella Vista, Crows Nest, Homebush, Hornsby, Kellyville and Macquarie Park.

Rezoning around these transport hubs would create capacity for up to 47,800 new homes over 15 years, within walking distance of these key stations.

The precincts are due to be rezoned in September to November 2024 to fast-track housing in these areas.