The Housing Delivery Authority reform aims to simplify the current planning system by reducing red tape, to speed up the delivery of new homes across NSW.
In a bid to potentially reduce approval timelines by years, proposals undertaken through both the Housing Delivery Authority and rezoning process will be assessed by the State instead of local councils.
What is the Housing Delivery Authority?
The Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) is a new body created within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) responsible for overseeing the streamlined state-led approval pathway.
The HDA will come into effect in early 2025 and includes the Secretary of the Premier’s Department, the Secretary of the Department of Planning, and the Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure NSW.
The pathway will be available for new housing developments above $60 million in Greater Sydney (on average 100 homes or more), and housing developments with a cost of approximately $30 million in regional NSW (on average 40 homes or more).
To be eligible for the HDA pathway, proposals will be selected through an expression of interest (EOI) process with established criteria and will be assessed on merit. The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces will remain the consent authority for all projects assessed through this pathway.
What is the new rezoning process?
The NSW Government is also introducing a new rezoning process for selected projects requiring significant rezoning to deliver increased housing supply. Similarly to the HDA, projects under the rezoning process will be assessed by the DPHI instead of council.
The HDA will be responsible for selecting eligible projects under this pathway, and applicants can submit rezoning proposals for consideration through an EOI process. The HDA is currently consulting with stakeholders to determine the set of criteria for rezoning proposals, which will be in accordance with the State’s housing priorities.
Under the rezoning process, new projects will be allowed to go through rezoning and development assessment simultaneously.
What are the benefits of the new reform?
By reducing the number of complex development applications assessed by councils, the reform aims to increase the capacity of councils to assess less complex development applications – in turn helping to shorten approval timelines.
How can Barker Ryan Stewart assist?
Our core services are in the rezoning, DA approval and delivery of residential subdivisions in the Greater Sydney region and throughout regional NSW.
Our experienced team can assist with your next residential subdivision throughout the entire project lifecycle, by providing our civil engineering, town planning, surveying, traffic engineering and project management services.
For further information on how the reform may benefit your current or future development, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
