A series of proposals aiming to create a “better Sydney and a stronger NSW” would benefit the Illawarra, an advocacy group says.
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Earlier this week, the Property Council, the Committee for Sydney and the Sydney Business Chamber together with the Community Housing Industry Association of NSW, Homelessness NSW and Shelter NSW formed the Good Growth Alliance.
The alliance has called for a sustainable plan for growth in Sydney, based on transparent, consistent and evidence-based decision-making. It has ten proposals which it believes will create a better Sydney and a stronger NSW.
They include:
*Boosting housing and driving a renewed policy focus by developing an evidence-based NSW Housing Strategy and funded action plan to increase the supply of social, affordable, key worker and ‘at market’ housing, including build-to-rent.
*Delivering at least 5000 additional social housing dwellings per year for the next 10 years by introducing a Capital Growth Fund to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
*Reducing homelessness by committing to an action plan that addresses the key causes of homelessness, with the goal of ending homelessness in NSW by 2028.
*Taking the lead on housing issues by appointing a Minister for Housing to deliver the NSW Housing Strategy and establish a multi-sector advisory council.
*Planning for growth and equity by ensuring new communities have the same access to public transport, employment, education and community infrastructure as established communities.
*Supporting better innovation and design in housing by establishing a housing innovation fund and investigate regulatory barriers to delivering innovative models and design options that improve energy efficiency and reduce the cost of living.
*Conducting an inquiry into the current funding for social and economic infrastructure in growing communities, including developer contributions, with the aim of providing industry and community greater certainty and consistency.
Michelle Guido, regional director of Property Council Illawarra said the alliance was a great initiative, and one that they fully support for the Illawarra.
“In the Illawarra, we must continue boosting a diverse housing supply in the right locations and encourage state and local government to collaborate with community housing organisations to increase the supply of social and affordable housing,” she said. “This is not just about increasing density.
“The important thing is balance; a balance between more housing, new infrastructure and building more liveable communities with access to amenities and services, transport and community space across the region.”
CHIA NSW’s CEO Wendy Hayhurst said development in Sydney needed to work for everyone, including “satellite cities” and regions outside Sydney. “We need to look at how to integrate the rest of NSW into the success of Sydney,” she said.
Ms Hayhurst said satellite cities such as Wollongong were appealing for those who didn’t want to live in a big city, but “want the big city job” in Sydney.
However, she said this could be met with resistance from long-time residents of satellite cities outside Sydney, who didn’t want to feel like they were being priced out of the areas they’d grown up in.
Therefore, Ms Hayhurst said there needed to be measures to ensure areas like the Illawarra offered the full range of housing at different price points.