Aspiring homeowners and local planning experts from the Central Coast were among the hundreds of participants in the two-week Regional Housing Taskforce virtual roadshow, which uncovered ideas on how the NSW Government can unlock much-needed housing in regional NSW.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said 95,250 extra people are expected to call the Central Coast home by 2041.
“Boosting housing supply will be crucial to supporting the growth of our region, particularly as COVID-19 makes more people realise the benefits of living outside of Greater Sydney,” Mr Crouch said.
Mr Crouch said the Regional Housing Taskforce conducted a series of meetings with stakeholders and community groups throughout the months of July and August.
“In addition to a number of virtual meetings, online submissions were also accepted over a four-week period,” Mr Crouch said.
“I thank everyone on the Central Coast who made an online submission or took part in a virtual meeting. Your ideas, advice and feedback have been heard by the Taskforce and will help to shape their work.”
The Regional Housing Taskforce is chaired by planning expert Garry Fielding and is focused on the four key issues of supply, affordability, diversity and resilience which impact all regions in NSW, including the Central Coast.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said despite the current lockdown, the Taskforce had been overwhelmed by participation in the two-week virtual roadshow.
“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 Regional Housing Taskforce will prepare an independent report with recommendations on how the NSW Government can utilise the planning system to stimulate housing supply in regional NSW.
For more information, go to: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/regional-housing.