$62.5m to accelerate regional housing growth infrastructure

The NSW Government has announced a $62.5 million funding boost to turbocharge housing-related infrastructure in key growth areas across the state.

The latest round of the State Voluntary Planning Agreement (SVPA) program will support projects in 12 local government areas across the Lower Hunter, Illawarra, North West and South West Growth Areas, Wollondilly and the Central Coast. The program uses developer contributions to deliver state and regional infrastructure in growing areas.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said the important infrastructure will support up to 135,000 new homes forecast to be built across these areas over the coming decade.

The $62.5 million in grants to councils and state agencies will go towards building and repairing roads, improving stormwater drainage, building new parks and improving local environments in growing communities, he said.

“When new homes are built, it is important that the infrastructure to support those new homes is also delivered.”

“Under the previous government, the gap between homes and infrastructure, in too many cases, was far too long. That’s why the Minns Government has reformed infrastructure contributions and is using the $62.5 million in State Voluntary Planning Agreement grants to close the infrastructure gap.

“This program is helping us maintain a rolling pipeline of infrastructure that supports new homes and jobs where these funds are collected.

“It builds on our $2.2 billion NSW Budget Housing and Infrastructure Plan announced in the last Budget and on key planning reforms introduced to accelerate the delivery of much needed housing in places where people want to live.

“I look forward to the projects funded under this program helping to make a real difference in our growing communities,” the Minister said.

Councils and state agencies from each area can now nominate projects for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to consider. Shortlisted projects will be assessed by an independent technical expert and reviewed by an internal DPHI review panel, with investment recommendations submitted to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for approval.

Since the program’s launch, over $220 million in contributions have been collected from developers and invested in 30 state and regional infrastructure projects supporting more than 70,000 new homes.

Successful projects to receive funding include an upgrade of Richmond Road in Marsden Park and acquisition of land for a new fire station in Cessnock.

To nominate a project, visit SVPA Funding Nominations, or visit NSW Planning for more information.

Projects nominations are open between Thursday, 4 April from 9:00am and Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

The 12 eligible local government areas and funding contributions are: