Labor's failing approach to housing
Mark Speakman
Leader of the NSW Opposition
Scott Farlow
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
Shadow Minister for Housing
Shadow Minister for Cities
Sweetheart deals for mates, dodgy housing targets and a lack of funding are the latest planks in Labor’s failing approach to housing.
The NSW Opposition has warned that the housing crisis in NSW will continue to worsen as Labor’s housing policy fails to deliver for the people of NSW.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said that, within hours of the Premier’s announcement, local councils were already in revolt over Labor’s unrealistic and unachievable targets.
“It’s easy to announce a number and call it the target, but without a clear way to deliver these houses, and sufficient funding to build the required infrastructure, the target will remain just a number,” Mr Speakman said. “You can announce all the targets and up-zonings in the world, but they won’t produce more housing unless it’s financially feasible to build, and Labor Government increasing fees and charges has crippled the financial feasibility of new housing projects.”
“Labor’s delays and stalling has seen housing approvals go backwards by 11% to their lowest rate in a decade. Chris Minns has continually ignored warning after warning from industry, who keep saying that the Government’s approach is making things worse - including Labor’s new housing tax and the rising cost of development service plans which continue drive up the cost of building new homes.”
“Labor’s proposed $200 million fund for 43 councils would see councils receive on average less than $5 million each under their new targets – that wouldn’t even touch the sides in addressing this crisis.”
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow said Chris Minns sweetheart deal for his mates has seen a backdown on his Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy. Allowing exemptions favouring the Inner West Council and City of Sydney is a naked political step ahead of local government elections that will put more pressure on every other part of Sydney.
“As well as reducing the number of homes the policy will deliver, it will mean properties within 50 metres of a light rail station in the Inner West may be exempted, while townhouses around Southlands shopping centre, a 20-minute commute from Penrith station, will be zoned for up to eight storeys,” Mr Farlow said.
“Chris Minns’ new housing targets are more about politics than planning. With the independent Greater Cities Commission removed from the process, it’s hard for the community to have confidence that these targets are based on evidence and capacity rather than politics.
“The Government needs to take real action to ease our state's housing crisis, instead of pushing on with its failing approach, which is simply not working as fewer and fewer homes are being delivered.”
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