26 September 2023

DPIE opens door on regional housing

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Hundreds of people across regional NSW participated in a virtual roadshow to share ideas on how the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) could unlock housing in regional communities.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes said more than 500 people participated in the two-week Regional Housing Taskforce virtual roadshow despite the current lockdown.

“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,” he said.

Chair of the Regional Housing Taskforce, Garry Fielding said community feedback would 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 Fielding said.

“Despite COVID, the switch to online meetings gave us better reach and allowed more people to be able to contribute,” he said.

Mr Fielding said 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 DPIE said the Taskforce was to prepare an independent report to the Minister on how the planning system could be better utilised to address housing needs in the regions.

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