Chris Rath
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
The state’s planning system is in chaos with the Premier contradicting his Planning Minister and Department over the scope of the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully has backed changes that would scale back the HDA in three commercial zones, ensuring commercial space is preserved.
However, Premier Chris Minns publicly contradicted that position today, saying the HDA’s scope should be widened.
Shadow Planning Minister Chris Rath said the public disagreement between the Premier and the Planning Minister exposed a Government making up housing policy on the run.
“This chaos at the top of government is only adding fuel to the fire of the housing crisis with Labor already 40 per cent behind on its National Housing Accord targets,” Mr Rath said.
“The experts have recognised that housing growth must happen alongside necessary infrastructure and employment zones, not at their expense, to ensure these areas are liveable.”
“Developers will not invest with confidence if the Government cannot decide what land should be protected and communities want to know that they can live in homes close to a job and services they need.”
“Chris Minns is so far behind on housing targets that he has abandoned a consistent affordable housing policy and is now threatening to bulldoze the very safeguards that protect Sydney’s liveability.”
“NSW needs more housing, and it also needs a government with a plan for the infrastructure and jobs to match.”
The Liberals and Nationals have a plan to boost housing supply and invest in infrastructure across NSW, without sacrificing employment precincts. It includes:
- State-led rezoning in Erskineville, Macdonaldtown, Newtown and St Peters for 10,000 new homes.
- Delivering the Camellia-Rosehill Place Strategy for a further 10,000 new homes.
- A $2 billion Community Benefit Fund to fund local roads, parks, schools and services tied to actual housing delivery.