Minns Government delivers $4.4 million to fast-track 105,000 new homes across regional NSW

01 May 2025

Over 105,000 homes are set to be fast-tracked following a major investment in regional planning and housing initiatives.

Round three of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund will deliver 24 councils nearly $4.4 million to unlock housing supply through strategic planning initiatives.

Grants of up to $250,000 will support councils to develop and update housing strategies, plan for infrastructure and essential services, and amend local environmental plans to bring forward the construction of more diverse and affordable housing.

Successful projects in Newcastle and the Central Coast support the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development reforms aimed at boosting housing supply around train stations, as well as the Low and Mid-Rise Policy which promotes more diverse housing.

Other successful projects include the South Orange Sewer Servicing Strategy, the Singleton planning control review and the Narrabri Development Control Plan update.

In 2024, the Minns Government set new housing targets to rebalance housing delivery across the state, regional NSW received a single target of 55,000 homes over five years. The projects funded under this program will support the delivery of this five-year target.

More people are choosing to live in regional NSW, but homes have become more expensive and harder to find, so delivering more regional housing supply is vital.

By funding local housing, planning and infrastructure projects we will build better communities across regional NSW.

Funding for the first two rounds of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund allocated $6.88 million to 36 projects. 

Key projects delivered so far include the Laffing Waters Master Plan Precinct Contributions Plan in Bathurst, West Dapto Town Centres Master Planning in Wollongong, and the Tamworth Regional Housing Strategy, which will help advance more homes in the pipeline.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

For more information on the successful councils and their projects, visit Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund | Planning

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: 

“By investing in planning today, we’re helping councils deliver the homes, parks, transport connections, and infrastructure communities need, and making sure young people and families can continue to build their futures in the regions."

"Good planning unlocks opportunity. Through this fund, we’re giving councils the tools to deliver better-designed, more liveable communities across regional NSW, close to transport, jobs, and essential services.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

"We’re making real progress unlocking more homes across regional NSW by giving councils the support they need to plan for growth.

This $4.4 million investment will fast-track over 105,000 homes and help ensure our growing regional communities have access to the housing, infrastructure, and services they deserve."

 

Round Three – Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund

Council

Project

Funding

Homes

Central Coast Council

Central Coast Council residential zone review program

$250,000

2558

Griffith City Council

Griffith urban Crown land affordable housing activation business case

$190,000

120

Goulburn Mulwaree Council

Technical studies to inform Goulburn's CBD and Surrounds Transformation Project

$122,378

4226

Murray River Council

Murray River Infrastructure Strategy for Moama

$99,025

3890

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

Port Macquarie planning control review to unlock housing

$200,000

1817

Bega Valley Shire Council

Bega Valley Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan for Wolumla

$50,380

1096

Eurobodalla Shire Council

Eurobodalla planning proposal for Batemans Bay Urban Renewal Project

$200,000

8000

Singleton Council

Singleton planning control review to accelerate and unlock housing

$120,671

8860

Lake Macquarie City Council

Supporting works for the Lake Macquarie Housing Strategy

$250,000

2849

Port Stephens Council

Port Stephens infrastructure needs analysis

$249,490

11,100

Shoalhaven City Council

Shoalhaven Estate Renewal Strategy and Delivery Plan for Nowra (joint project with Homes NSW and Southern Cross Housing)

$250,000

500

Uralla Shire Council

Uralla Growth Management Strategy, LEP review and developer servicing plans for water and sewer

$250,000

208

Inverell Shire Council

Inverell detailed drainage assessment and plans for new residential areas

$220,000

1002

Cobar Shire Council

Cobar Local Housing Strategy

$166,840

TBA

Central Darling Shire Council

Central Darling Shire Local Housing Strategy

$156,335

35

Narrabri Shire Council

Narrabri Development Control Plan update

$47,000

5960

Coonamble Shire Council

Coonamble Shire Urban Housing Strategy

$69,916

60

Gilgandra Shire Council

Gilgandra residential master planning project > Towards 5000

$226,930

481

Orange City Council

South Orange Sewer Servicing Strategy

$164,772

2740

Mid-Western Regional Council

Mid-Western Regional Council housing strategy implementation

$210,000

240

Parkes Shire Council

East Parkes Masterplan and Servicing Strategy

$185,799

980

Dubbo Regional Council

Dubbo Master Plan and Servicing Strategy for Montefiores, Wellington

$250,000

1400

Albury City Council

Albury LEP amendment and toolkit for Thurgoona Growth Precinct

$192,000

23,421

City of Newcastle

Accelerate the place-based master planning for City of Newcastle's Transport Oriented Development precincts

$250,000

23,591