THE NSW Government has released a new guide to support councils to undertake land audits to identify vacant operational land that could be used to deliver affordable housing projects.
The “Council Led Affordable Housing on Operational Land Guide” released by the Office of Local Government provides step-by-step guidance for councils on identifying and managing affordable housing sites utilising operational land – from planning through to construction and delivery.
“A major barrier to building more affordable housing is the high cost of acquiring well-located land,” the NSW Government said in a statement.
“Council owned sites such as former depots or unused facilities that are well serviced and close to public transport can be ideal locations for affordable housing to support low-income households.”
The guide provides detail on delivery options available to councils to release and manage operational land for affordable housing and how councils can form partnerships with entities such as government agencies and housing providers to maximise the impact of affordable housing.
It also includes case studies showcasing successful affordable housing projects led by councils to meet the needs of their communities.
For example, Shoalhaven City Council transformed surplus council land in Bomaderry into 39 affordable housing units, while Lismore City Council is partnering with Landcom, Homes NSW and a community housing provider to construct 56 new affordable housing units.
The NSW Government has set five-year housing completion targets for 43 local government areas in Sydney, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, the Lower Hunter and Central Coast, and a single housing target for regional NSW.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “All levels of government need to play their part to help address the housing shortage.
“The Minns Labor Government’s land audit has identified several sites that are no longer being used that can deliver thousands of new homes.
“With the support of this new guide, we’re asking councils to do the same.”
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