More homes and jobs close to transport as masterplans are completed

Master plans and rezoning for seven transportation centers will create nearly 60,000 homes and more than 126,000 retail and trade jobs.

The rezoning includes space for schools, health care facilities, public parks and the ability for councils to designate special recreational zones in those areas.

Master plans for Bankstown, Bella Vista, Crow’s Nest, Homebush, Hornsby, Kellyville and Macquarie Park have been completed.

The completion of the rezoning of these areas means that development applications can now be submitted and assessed.

These properties, also known as Tier 1 TODs, are priority developments that have undergone expedited rezoning and will place high-rise and mid-rise buildings within approximately 1,200 meters of these subway and train stations.

These homes and jobs will also be supported by $520 million to fund new public spaces and active transport links, meaning more vibrant and walkable areas.

The masterplans set an affordable housing rate of three per cent, with homes to be considered permanent affordable housing in all areas, as well as higher affordable housing rates of up to 18 per cent in key sites within electoral areas. The TOD program is the first time in NSW history that the government has introduced inclusionary zoning for affordable housing on a permanent basis.

To encourage faster development, new provisions have been introduced alongside master plans, offering a simplified route for planning assessments, including:

• Proposals over $60 million (or approximately 100 homes) will have access to the State’s Significant Development program. This will allow the assessment to be completed within 275 days, with only 90 of those days in the hands of the government.
• Eliminates certain low-risk compliance and redirection (C&R) provisions as requirements for development applications since this was considered during the rezoning phase. This means new homes will be delivered faster.
• Exempts apartment complexes in expedited TOD districts from design competitions while still requiring superior design and compliance with the Apartment Design Guide.

These master plans were finalized following public feedback received during an extended six-week public exhibition period that ended in August.

All community and stakeholder feedback was carefully considered by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to finalize this rezoning.

This zoning change will take effect this Wednesday, November 27, 2024, and applications for new homes can then be submitted.

Delivery of the final masterplans for fast track TOD sites will make a significant contribution to the Minnesota Government’s commitment to rebalancing housing growth in Sydney with existing transport infrastructure, meaning improved, more accessible and connected communities.

Accelerated TOD sections will provide:

Homebush – 18,000 new homes and 3,000 jobs.

• Key benefits to the community include new open spaces, transport links through two Sydney Train stations and a future Sydney Metro station, and community facilities.
• Land near the Bakehouse Quarter will be converted into a public recreation area, providing additional public open space for people in the area.
• New active transport links and streets will be created which will provide better transport links for walking and cycling within the area, while new and improved public open spaces will be proposed which will provide places for rest and relaxation.

Hornsby – 6,000 new homes and 2,900 jobs

• New and upgraded parks will be delivered by the NSW Government, as well as other open spaces in the city centre.
• Improving transport links by upgrading pedestrian and cycling roads. The canopy area of ​​native trees will also be increased and street coverage will increase to 50 percent.
• Upgrading the road with the possibility of building a new future bus interchange to the west of the train station.
• New library, community center and cultural and creative facilities.

Bella Vista and Kellyville – 4,600 new homes and 3,800 jobs

• New and improved public open spaces with new play areas and better protection of biodiversity.
• New active transport links.

Bankstown – 14,000 new homes and 14,300 jobs

• New planning provisions to encourage more public facilities and public open space.
• There are plans to encourage the construction of a new bus interchange. This includes publicly accessible open spaces in the town center and Bankstown Shopping Centre.

Macquarie Park – 9,600 homes and 100,000 jobs.

• 3.15 million square meters of commercial space, supporting approximately 100,000 jobs.
• New and improved parks, plazas and open spaces totaling over 14 hectares, supporting social infrastructure including playgrounds and outdoor activities, community facilities, and improved public and active transport.

Crow’s Nest – 5,900 new homes and 2,500 jobs.

• Better walking and cycling connections to Sydney Metro and heavy rail stations with new road upgrades and public open spaces.
• Increased tree canopy to maintain the deciduous character of the St Leonards and Crow’s Nest area.

These new homes and jobs are part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to create a better NSW with more homes and services so young people, families and workers have a place to live.

Public consultation on the Bays West TOD rezoning proposal will take place in conjunction with the master plan exhibition in 2025.

More information about accelerated TOD sites can be found here: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/transport-resident-development-program/accelerated-precincts.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said:

“By completing these masterplans we are one step closer to building more homes for the next generation.

“These areas will provide a mix of housing, new open spaces and play areas – making a great community for families to build their lives.

“It’s all part of our government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes so young people, families and workers have a place to live.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“These masterplans have been delivered in less than a year and are testament to our commitment to delivering more homes, jobs and amenities in NSW.

“The completion of the TOD Accelerated Precincts means that development applications can be submitted and assessed so that housing development can begin as quickly as possible.

“Elements of the planning pathway have been optimized to evaluate proposals in these locations, which will speed up the process without compromising the quality of the assessment or the final outcome.

“We made an election commitment to balance housing growth in Sydney with existing transport infrastructure, and today we are unveiling the designs for these homes. This is work that should have been carried out by the previous Government when the metro was built, but was not.

“We have also committed $520 million in public infrastructure funding to ensure these sites receive critical road improvements, active transport links and good quality open space because Fast Track sites are about building better communities as well as new homes.” .