Regional Housing Report reveals causes behind Riverina housing crisis

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An independent report reflecting the community’s experiences of housing and the planning system in regional NSW has been released by the NSW Government.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the Regional Housing Taskforce report details feedback from consultation with more than 500 people across regional NSW.

“The Regional Housing Taskforce’s report gives us a clear picture of the unqiue factors affecting housing in each regional community, and I want to thank every person who took part for their contributions,” Mr Stokes said.

“The report confirms COVID-19 has accelerated an existing trend of people moving from the city to the bush, and this has had an acute impact on regional housing markets.

“The findings tell us what regional communities need to better support their housing needs and I look forward to receiving the taskforce’s detailed recommendations in October.”

Chair of the Regional Housing Taskforce Garry Fielding said the taskforce would now prepare recommendations for the NSW Government to consider in October.

“The communty’s feedback will be used to develop recommendations outlining how the planning system can address housing needs and stimulate supply,” Mr Fielding said.

“I want to thank each person who gave us their time and ideas to help us prepare such a comprehensive report that identifies housing trends, what we’ve heard, detailed findings and the next steps.”

The key issues raised in the findings report include:

  • Greater prioritisation on the coordination and delivery of infrastructure to support new homes;

  • A need for collaboration between all levels of Government, the housing development industry and the community to develop the right type of housing where people need it;

  • Calls to speed up planning processes and reduce duplication, particularly where opportunities to provide housing are time-critical; and

  • Demand for more affordable and diverse housing in line with changing demographics, jobs growth, natural disasters, and migration trends.

Sara Johnston