1. All eyes on Western Sydney infrastructure 

On Friday The Daily Telegraph went hard on the struggles facing Western Sydney. It runs the risk of becoming the “forgotten child” of Sydney with the State Government piling up taxes on housing and jobs in the west, and redirecting funds to their transport oriented developments in the more established areas of Sydney.

Yet as the Telegraph’s James O’Doherty writes, “the road to the Lodge runs through Western Sydney”. James points out that Western Sydney is being dudded:

*Please note the below link may be paywall protected

CEO of Urban Taskforce, Tom Forrest, figured prominently in the Daily Telegraph’s push for a better deal for Sydney’s west. Tom made a strong case, as he has all week, for a reprioritisation of infrastructure funding to Sydney’s west.

*Please note the below link may be paywall protected

The Housing Productivity Tax is $12,852.79 on each dwelling lot in a residential subdivision and $10,710.66 on a medium or high density residential development in Greater Sydney. It is a massive impost on new housing - which ends up being paid for new home buyers.

The tax is also levied on industrial development ($16.07 per sqm of new GFA) and commercial development ($32.13 per sqm of new GFA). So It is also a tax on jobs.

To add insult to injury, DPHI reminded industry this week that the current 25% discount applying to the payment of the Housing and Productivity Contribution will end on 30 June 2025.

Where are all these funds going? 

To the TOD precincts in established area of Sydney.

The people of South West Sydney are unlikely to be happy that their housing costs are going up so that the Government can provide even more amenity in the established suburbs of Sydney.

Worse, for reasons unknown, the Minns government has effectively stopped the HPC tax being paid via   Works in Kind. 

Developers are keen to be part of the solution here – delivering infrastructure and amenity as part of a broad package for western Sydney housing and jobs.

Works in kind are critical to delivering infrastructure in locations where new housing is being built.

For more on Urban Taskforce’s push this week on a better deal for Western Sydney, see story 5.

2. Housing Delivery Authority recommends another 19 housing proposals for state significant pathway 

The fourth meeting of the HDA continues to maintain  momentum when it comes to boosting housing supply.

This week, the HDA recommended a further 19 EoI’s be declared state significant were accepted into the HDA’s state significant pathway – representing a potential 5,630 new dwellings.

Of the other 19 EoI’s considered this round:

• 3 EOI applications already had state significance via alternative SSD pathways. The existing pathways were considered appropriate, and the Department will consider concurrent rezoning where the applicant is pursuing uplift in development standards;
• 15 EOI applications are not recommended to be called in as SSD;
• 1 EOI application was deferred for further information and future consideration

The following day the Minister for Planning also announced that he had formally declared a further 20 projects as State Significant after recommendations by the HDA. If lodged and approved, this could create more than 5,600 well-located homes across New South Wales, including affordable housing.

Since its establishment little over 3 months ago, 64 housing proposals, representing almost 28,000 new homes, have been declared state significant through the HDA process.

The interest in the HDA pathway and the decisions taken so far justify the concerted push by Urban Taskforce in recent years for precisely this type of streamlined, state led approval pathway that listens to what the market has got to say about housing opportunities across the State.

3. ABS housing data & the case of the missing NSW approvals...explained

NSW, after a positive performance in January, slipped back to a mere 3,390 approvals – well behind the mark in terms of what is needed to meet the Accord targets.

NSW is still dragging the chain…

Urban Taskforce noted the announcement by the Minister for Planning earlier in the week that the Housing Taskforce had unblocked “around 31,800 dwellings”

We were eagerly anticipating these 31,000 approvals to flow through into the ABS data – but nothing – in fact the NSW approval numbers went backwards?

In our release we sought clarification – which no doubt prompted a flurry of calls and signal messages across Government. To be fair – the Housing Taskforce were fast onto the phone.

The Minister stated that the Housing Taskforce:

“has resolved 1,985 CIR [Concurrence, Integrated Developments and Referrals] cases unblocking around 31,800 dwellings. This has resulted in the determination of 704 Development Applications at a 94 per cent approval rate.”

The explanation from the Housing Taskforce was:

The Housing Taskforce has dealt with 1,985 CIR cases, unblocking 31,800 dwellings from the Agencies, then returning those to Councils to complete their assessments. Presumably that means that there are 1,281 DAs now sitting on Council assessors’ desks.

So far, according to the Housing Taskforce, this process has resulted in the determination of 704 Development Applications, or some 5,600 (not 31,800 or even 94% of 31,800) dwellings. The rest are still with Councils.

You be the judge. The fact that the number of houses actually approved was left out of the Minister’s statement was, at best, confusing!

A new definition of ‘unblocked’? Lucky they are not plumbers….

4. Urban Taskforce ramps up campaign for better deal for Western Sydney 

The spotlight was certainly shone on Western Sydney this week, with a concerted push for greater investment in infrastructure to unlock housing and jobs across Sydney's west:

Building the pressure, Tom iterated this message when talking to 7 News Sydney the following day – saying that housing in Western Sydney would struggle without significant investment in roads and water infrastructure:  

The infrastructure requirements for Infill housing are significant but nothing that will prevent more housing being delivered. For greenfield development– housing simply won’t come if there are not the roads or water connections made available.

With Western Sydney shaping up to be a key battleground in the Federal election campaign, now is the opportunity for the Albanese Government and the Opposition to build on its commitments in this space.

They have a month to do so.

*Please note, the below link may be paywall protected

Tom also spoke at length with the Daily Telegraph on the infrastructure deficit in Western Sydney and what it means not just for housing but for the future prosperity of Sydney (also see story 1).

Tom warned that failure to invest in the roads and water infrastructure to support a growing population in Western Sydney would force the most productive sector of the community to move interstate or overseas:

It comes as new Western Sydney University research shows Western Sydney to be a powerhouse when it comes to high skilled jobs – even though many workers in Sydney’s west are forced to work in other parts of Sydney.

WSU’s Andy Marks has backed our push for modular housing a way of getting affordable quality housing delivered across Sydney. The one problem is that currently large-scale modular housing through manufactured home estates is not allowed in Sydney.

5. Dutton announces more funding for Western Sydney roads

The week’s focus on Western Sydney culminated with the Daily Telegraph’s Future Western Sydney, with Federal Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, using it to unveil a further $231 million in road funding for Sydney’s West.

On top of their support for the $1 billion for metro corridors and $500 million for 15^th Avenue (yes - not to be completed till the 2030’s), it brings the total commitment of the Dutton Opposition for Wester Sydney infrastructure to more than $1.7 billion.

The funding includes

1. $117.5 million into completing the final leg of the Mulgoa Road corridor upgrade in Penrith 
2. $50m to duplicate Edmondson Ave in Liverpool
3.  $18.8m for a business case to investigate upgrades to semirural roads surrounding the future freight hub at Western Sydney Airport
4. $30 million to upgrade  intersection of Pennant Hills Road and Moseley Street in Carlingford and Evans Road intersection at Evans Road, and Dunda intersection at Kissing Point Road

6. Quote of the week

Development Excellence Awards – LESS THAN 3 WEEKS TO ENTER!

7. Walker Corporation's vision for Blacktown

As a major sponsor of The Daily Telegraph's Future Western Sydney, Walker Corporation laid down a clear vision for the development and growth of Blacktown.

David Gallant, CEO of Walker Corporation, penned an excellent opinion piece for the Daily Telegraph on the transformation of Western Sydney.

Walker’s vision for Blacktown Quarter is testimony to a rapidly evolving West. Just as Walker transformed the tired precinct around Parramatta, its vision for Blacktown represents a game changer.

*Please note, the below link may be paywall protected

8. Planning Minister gets tough on NSW Government agencies 

Along with the Council league performance tables, the Planning Minister is shining a light on the performance of relevant State Government agencies in terms of turnaround times for concurrences, integrated development approvals and referrals.

For too long, State Government agencies have proven sluggish in responding to applications for housing.

Seven agencies including Transport for NSW, the RFS and the EPA – are not meeting their own Government’s target of responding to DA referrals within the legislated timeframe of 90 days.

But there is something seriously wrong with the metrics.  How can Sydney Water possibly have a 90% success rate in meeting their legislated timeframes for concurrence? Urban Taskforce members report that they achieved this by manipulating the system.  Issuing RFIs on the 89^th day of the 90 days required to respond, then issuing yet another RFI 90 days later.

The legislated timeframes should be end to end, as is the case with the HDA and their 275 day target.  The SSD assessment team at DPHI reports on average time taken with the matter in DPHI hands as well as the total time taken for the assessment and determination.

Further, while turnaround times are useful, ultimately the actual decision is what matters. There is little to be gained by an agency meeting legislative timeframes if the answers are predominantly “no”.

This is where cultural change is critical – and where legislating housing into the objects of the EP&A Act would prove beneficial.

It would support the Premier’s pro-housing mantra and help ensure agencies recognise the important of housing per se when making decisions on housing development applications.

But shining a light on the performance of government agencies is an important first step for driving cultural change and improved agency performance. This, at least, is welcome.

The next step is to establish and enforce consequences for consistent poor performers.

Minister Scully recently wrote to councils falling behind minimum turnarounds for development applications. But “reading the Riot Act” to State Government agencies (and by extensions their responsible Ministers/Cabinet colleagues) is a different ball game to writing sternly worded letters to Councils. This is where the Premier must take the lead.

At the end of the day, these initiatives, along with the new planning pathways will be judged on the numbers – approvals, commencement and the number of completed dwellings.

9. Checkmate for disgraceful TFNSW on the Goldmate case?

The High Court this week rejected TfNSW’s special leave application wanting to overturn their spectacular loss in the NSW Court of Appeal in December 2024.  

The New South Wales Court of Appeal overturned the Land and Environment Court's (LEC) decision in Goldmate Property Luddenham No. 1 Pty Ltd v Transport for NSW, redefining the scope of "public purpose" in compulsory land acquisitions under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (Just Terms Act).

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) compulsorily acquired part of Goldmate's land in June 2021 to construct the M12 Motorway under the Roads Act 1993. The land had been rezoned to "Enterprise" use under the Aerotropolis SEPP shortly before acquisition.

The Land and Environment Court characterised the public purpose broadly, encompassing state-wide infrastructure and economic development goals linked to the Western Sydney Airport. Consequently, compensation was based on pre-rezoning rural zoning, reducing the market value awarded to Goldmate.

The Court of Appeal rejected the LEC's expansive interpretation of public purpose, emphasizing that it must align strictly with the acquiring authority's statutory powers. TfNSW’s authority under the Roads Act is limited to road construction, operation, and maintenance. Broader goals like leveraging economic opportunities around the airport were deemed irrelevant. The Court ruled that rezoning impacts could not be disregarded unless directly caused by the statutory public purpose.

The High Court awarded costs against TfNSW.
NSW taxpayers are paying for a TfNSW legal fantasy and their behaviour, far removed what should be a model litigant, must be called out.

The matter has now been remitted to the Land and Environment Court for redetermination according to law, setting a precedent for future compulsory acquisitions in Western Sydney and beyond.

The decision confines public purpose to what an acquiring authority is legally empowered to pursue, preventing "composite" purposes combining multiple government objectives.

Landowners may benefit from valuations reflecting rezoning impacts unless directly tied to the statutory public purpose.

And Authorities must ensure acquisitions are strictly within their legislative remit.

This is a significant decision and Landowners engaged in litigation or negotiations may see improved outcomes under this clarified framework.

10. Anglicare study shows results of zoning restrictions in 

Anglicare Australia has produced a nationwide heat map showing the scale of the housing supply crisis.

Unsurprisingly, NSW is at the epicentre of unaffordability - home to 7 of the 10 least affordable federal electorates in which to rent. Those electorates are Sydney, Bradfield, Cook, Wentworth, Kingsford Smith, Reid and Warringah.

Seven of the least affordable Federal Electorates 

Not coincidentally, these are areas where zoning restrictions artificially limit supply of housing. Combined with strong demand (these electorates are where people want to live, are close to jobs and have high amenity) this leads to housing shortages and price spikes.

Social and affordable housing is playing around the edges – what is needed is a concerted push to remove zoning restrictions and allow the market to build where people want to live.

11. Sydney Water to host Developer Forum for Aerotropolis infrastructure

NOTE: The sessions are by registration only.  

Developer forum (hybrid – in person and live streamed): 
Date: Tuesday 8 April 2025 
Time:  9 am - 11 am  
Location:  Sydney Water, Level 4, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta NSW  2150

12. Urban Taskforce talks with 2GB’s Clinton Maynard on the potential of Rosehill 

This week CEO Tom Forrest was interviewed at length by 2GB’s Clinton Maynard on the increasingly fraught negotiations around the sale of the Rosehill racecourse.

Urban Taskforce has led the way in pushing for another metro to unlock new housing in the area. It would be tragic if a deal could not be arranged.

13. Planning presentation of State Significant housing and assessment

Pictured from left to right: Tom Forrest CEO Urban Taskforce, David Gainsford Deputy Secretary of Development Assessment and Sustainability, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Felicity Rourke, Partner Allens and David Tanevski Honorary Secretary-Treasurer, Urban Taskforce Australia

The public servant responsible for the assessment of state significant housing proposals, Deputy Secretary David Gainsford, gave a tour de force to a packed house of Urban Taskforce members this week of how he is going about carrying out one of the top priorities of the Minns Government.

Kiersten Fishburn and David Gainsford are clearly on a mission. Long overdue, but full credit to them.

David’s presentation outlined the degree of thought and planning that has gone into his responsibilities, which will hopefully produce significant pay offs when it comes to assessing the tens of thousands of homes now being pursued through State Significant pathways.

14. Update on HAFF Round One funding

Housing Australia has released an update to the list of projects which have reached contract close with a Funding Agreement through Round One of the HAFF.

Housing Australia confirms 91 projects have reached contract close with a combined funding amount of $6.65 billion to support the delivery of 8,246 social and affordable homes under the HAFFF and NHAF programs.

Contract negotiations are continuing in relation to a further 92 projects which could deliver a further 5,565 more social and affordable homes.

It puts all those terrible local government affordable housing taxes into perspective!

It’s taken far too long to get to this point (just ask Labor candidates desperate for some good news on the housing front!!), but hopefully lessons can be learnt for future rounds (assuming there is still a HAFF after the Federal election!)

15. Federal Coalition announce 2 positive initiatives to boost housing and fight red tape

The Federal Opposition release 2 positive policies for housing this week

This week saw the first positive policy in the Federal election campaign, with the Coalition committing to reduce the prudential buffer banks are required to apply when assessing capacity to repay home loans.

Urban Taskforce Australia has been calling for a reduction of the 3% prudential buffer for well over a year.

With high interest rates, the buffer was proving insult to injury for many would be borrowers – with APRA’s buffer pushing banks to assess applications with rates near 10%.

This is a practical step that should be matched by the Albanese Government. Plenty of Labor MP’s have waxed eloquently in Parliament on the real pain the 3% buffer is causing for would be homeowners. 

The Federal Opposition also announced its intentions if elected to establish Investment Australia - a new statutory office within Treasury - to streamline major project approvals and cut red tape.

Urban Taskforce has called for Treasuries across the nation to take the lead in dealing with the red tape spewing forth from bureaucracies.

The Federal Opposition would ensure a more robust assessment in Canberra. This is something that should be adopted by both parties across all jurisdictions.

16. Victorian Liberals running cynical NIMBY campaign

While one could mount any number of critical campaigns against the ageing Victorian Labor Government, one thing you could not fault them on is their concerted effort to boost housing supply across Melbourne.

But the Victorian Liberals are playing the NIMBY card and have established a “short, sharp” inquiry into Labor’s planning reforms.

A Victorian Upper House committee will inquire into Labor’s recent amendments to Victorian Planning Provisions, including:

• Dense new townhouse and “uncontrolled” development;
• Housing choice, transport zone and built form overlay allowing high-rise and high-density developments up to six-stories as a right and overriding key heritage provisions;
• Precinct zones that require public benefit uplift provisions to be specified with applications “exempt from notice and review”

In the midst of a housing supply crisis, and the Victorina government showing the way nationally in terms of hitting the approvals needed to meet the National Housing Accord, this type of political opportunism is disgraceful and quite contrary to the pro-private sector, anti-regulation philosophy that has historically underpinned the Liberal party.

Just when you think the Victorian Liberals may be ready for Government and making adult decisions, you get this trite, cynical nonsense.

17. DPHI and Planning portal updates 

DPHI have provided their regular update, including news on the formal monitoring of council performances, changes to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan and the end of HPC concessions.

On 28 March 2025, minor enhancements were made to the following digital services on the NSW Planning Portal: 

•    BASIX
•    Development application
•    Intention to seek occupation certificate
•    Major Projects portal
•    Post-consent certificates
•    Special infrastructure contributions
These enhancements are to improve the usability of the services, address technical issues and introduce functionality to support the Housing Delivery Authority. Minor housekeeping amendments were also made to several NSW Planning Portal APIs. 

18. Urban Taskforce in the news

Regional publication “News of the area” picked up Urban Taskforce’s call for Government’s to embraced more modular housing as a means of solving housing supply and affordability.

19. Members in the news

*Please note these articles may be paywall protected

"…The property arm of the Anglican Church formed a year ago and filed its second project with Traders in Purple in February for Sydney’s Lower North Shore ...read more…

To read more, click here:            The Urban Developer, 1 April

“…Castle Group’s Ritchie Perera says that on top of the identified areas for infrastructure development, there needs to be more … read more…

To read more, click here:                    The Urban Developer, 2 April

"…Under the scheme, which is at an early stage, Investa would set up a club of investors to acquire Blackstone’s interest in the landmark tower. The local platform, which is part-owned by Oxford Properties, has been quietly looking to tap investors in Asia to back a potential move on the complex… read more…

To read more, click here:                   The Australian, 2 April 

“…According to research from Western Sydney University (WSU), a shortage of high-value jobs in the area drives residents to the CBD for employment, where they spend their cash five days a week … read more…

To read more, click here:                       The Daily Telegraph, 3 April