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Urban Taskforce | Media Releases
Opposition plan welcome, but much more detail needed
18 February 2010
The Urban Taskforce today welcomed the NSW Oppositions announcement of its infrastructure planning framework, but said much more detail was required.
Were keen for the Opposition to clearly set out how Sydney, the Hunter and coastal NSW will get the extra housing development thats needed, Mr Gadiel said.
Within four years, we could be facing a housing shortfall of 175,000 dwellings in NSW and firm action needs to be taken as soon as possible.
Mr Gadiel said the Opposition should explain how it would supply the extra infrastructure needed to support housing development.
Wed also like to see some specific numbers about the Oppositions goals for the development of new suburbs on the edges of urban areas and apartment development within the existing metropolitan region.
A balanced development policy should create opportunities for both types of development.
Right now, there simply isnt enough new housing - of any kind - in NSW.
In the 12 months to September 2009 work started on only 23,000 new homes the lowest in the current ABS data series.
The previous record low for NSW was for 2008, which was 30,000 homes, and the record prior to that was 2007 where there were only 31,000 home starts.
On a population basis, no state or territory produces less new homes than NSW, and were producing new homes at less than half the rate of Victoria or Queensland.
The Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing Australias most prominent property developers and equity financiers. For every $1 million in construction expenditure, 27 jobs are created throughout the broader economy. The construction activity made possible by property developers contributes $78 billion to the national economy each year and creates 849,000 direct jobs.
