Western Sydney will be required to face faster population growth than other parts of Sydney under the Minns Labor Government’s new housing targets, according to analysis undertaken by the NSW Opposition.
Visiting the Hills Shire, which will see a proposed 35% increase on existing dwellings in just five years, Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said that despite the Premier Chris Minns’ talk about re-balancing growth, the truth is that the Hills, Wollondilly, Camden, Liverpool and Ryde will be seeing the largest percentage increases in their populations under the Labor’s targets.
“Under the Labor Government’s housing targets, the Hills Shire is called upon to increase its number of dwellings by 35% from 66,450 to 89,750 dwellings in just five years,” Mr Speakman said.
“This is while the Hills has the most stretched schools in the State, with almost half over its cap by over 100 students each, including 11 primary schools and two high schools.”
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow highlighted that the Hills Shire was not alone, with Wollondilly required to add 28% more homes in just five years, Camden 25% more homes, and Liverpool and Ryde 21% each.
“This compares with a Sydney-wide average of 14% growth on existing dwellings. The growth is largest in the West with ‘Central’ council areas comprising Blacktown, Cumberland, Georges River, the Hills Shire, Parramatta and Liverpool collectively growing by 17%, while Sydney councils further west will grow collectively by 14% and eastern councils by 11%,” Mr Farlow said.
“It’s no wonder that the Inner West Labor Mayor embraced its target when they are only required to produce 9% growth in homes in their council area over the next five years.”
“Despite Chris Minns beating his chest about bringing housing closer to the CBD, the reality is that the communities which will see the biggest impact in growth are in Western Sydney.”
The Hills Shire Council Mayor Peter Gangemi said the Minns Labor Government had more than doubled the Hills’ housing completion target for the next five years.
“We now have the highest housing targets in NSW; we could deliver more homes than any other council in NSW yet not receive a cent from the Minns Labor Government’s $200 million infrastructure fund,” Cr Gangemi said.
“We are a Council that is assisting greatly with the housing crisis and are not opposed to doing more. However, the target imposed on us is unachievable logistically and financially for the construction industry.”
Mr Speakman concluded, “we’re in this position because Chris Minns signed up Canberra’s housing targets that he could never meet, without any advice from his own Planning Department. All the while he’s still refused to call on Anthony Albanese to reduce immigration to ease the affordability and supply pressures on our housing market.”
