Woy Woy chosen for high-density housing

Woy Woy has been chosen as a location for high density housing "within 400 metres" of the railway station, under the State Government's Transport-Oriented Development Program.

The decision was made after Central Coast Council asked that it be included.

NSW Premier Mr Chris Minns made the announcement on Friday, saying that Woy Woy was one of six new stations added to the program, with the changes becoming effective next month.

"In December, the government announced 31 stations across 13 local government areas around which new housing is to be located within 400m.

"Several councils not only welcomed the opportunity to develop housing plans for existing sites, but wanted more sites to be added within their local area."

Mr Minns said Central Coast Council had asked for Woy Woy to be included.

"The six new stations are Cardiff, Cockle Creek, Belmore, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Woy Woy.

"These stations were all suggested by councils for inclusion."

According to the Department of Planning website, the changes will allow residential flat buildings in residential zones within 400 metres of identified stations and both residential flat buildings and shop top housing in commercial centres within 400 m of identified stations.

Most of this area at Woy Woy is the commercial centre.

For this, building height would increase from 19.75 metres to 21 metres.

Floor space ratio would increase from a maximum of 2.3:1 to 3.0:1.

There would no longer be a minimum site area of 1000 square metres for height and floor space ratio concessions.

However, it is unclear how this will change projected housing capacity within 400 metres of the station.

Mr Minns said the change would result in "more well-located, well-designed and well-built homes".

He said the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure had engaged with councils "to develop housing plans that deliver greater or equal housing numbers than would be required by the original Transport-Oriented Development State Environmental Planning Policy".

"Throughout the consultation process, consideration has been given to existing infrastructure capacity or planned upgrades that will support increased density."

Details of that consideration have not been released.

Provisions for Woy Woy are expected to be finalised by the end of the month.

"The NSW Government is absolutely committed to confronting the housing crisis head on," Mr Minns said.

"For too long housing has been put in the too hard basket.

"If we don't build more houses, young people will up and leave because they can't afford a home in NSW.

"And if we lose our young people, we lose our future.

"I want to thank the mayors and Councils for working collaboratively with the Government.

"Ensuring we have homes for young people across our state is a shared responsibility."

Minister for Planning Mr Paul Scully claimed the development policy was "tailored to each location and community".

"I encourage others to sit down and help us address the housing crisis by working together to find well located housing across the State for young people, essential workers and families who desperately need to access the housing market," he said.

"The principle that underpinned the discussions with councils is that any local plans must go beyond the NSW Government's housing expectations, not backwards.

"In addition the government's reforms to State infrastructure contributions mean that the infrastructure investment needed to support housing growth in these areas will also be made.

"The program is part of the biggest planning reforms this state has ever seen."

SOURCE:

Media release, 12 Apr 2024

Chris Minns, NSW Premier