Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and Shadow Planning and Housing Minister Scott Farlow have called on the Labor Government to explain how their plan to increase densities for projects with 15% affordable housing will deliver more affordable homes.
“The Opposition is committed to working constructively with the government to identify solutions to the National housing crisis, but we need more than social tiles and press releases to see how the Government will actually deliver 314,000 homes in the next five years,” Mr Speakman said.
“To date, the Labor Government have demonstrated an ideological approach, including the repeal of First Home Buyers Choice which increases the barriers to home ownership and their ill-fated rental reforms that would have resulted in higher rents.”
“Today’s announcement in concerning as there’s no evidence that the Labor Government have engaged with industry, stakeholders or local government.”
“Solving the housing crisis will take more than repackaging old policies and telling communities to “get out of the way”.
“We call on the Labor Government to provide detail to today’s announcement, how many properties will it deliver? Where will they be built? And will appropriate access to infrastructure including public transport be guaranteed?”
Mr Farlow questioned how the proposed change in affordable housing requirements, from 20% to 15% would deliver more affordable homes, given the Labor Government had provided no detail or modelling.
“The requirement of 15% affordable housing in order to gain a floor space ratio bonus is less than the 20% trigger that exists at present under the Housing SEPP, while delivering increased floor space ratio and height bonuses,” Mr Farlow said.
“How many additional dwellings will be delivered as a result of this change?” Mr Farlow said.
“At the same time the Labor Government announces higher density for the city, they announce plans to reduce Sydney’s housing supply by removing new greenfield sites. People across Sydney should have choice about where and how they live.”
“Our State needs a properly thought through response, with detailed policies and the impact of change understood – not the quick fix bandaid solutions evidenced by this Labor Government.”