Chamber calls for policy changes

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales has called on Gosford Council to review its medium density housing policies.

"The Chamber is urging the Council to review the planned medium density guidelines, look at reducing developer contributions, cutting red tape and improving development application assessment times in an effort to kick start the sluggish housing sector," he said.

"We acknowledge that planning controls need to be updated from time to time, but the new rules being advanced by Gosford Council have the potential to reduce housing yields by up to 30 per cent at a time when we should be encouraging new construction and boosting supply," he said.

Mr Wales pointed to the Department of Housing's recent projections which show that the vast majority of new dwellings will be built in existing urban areas with the amount equalling 70 per cent in 2012-13.

"Clearly the NSW State Government concedes that the majority of new housing will be located within our existing medium density areas", said Mr Wales.

"Conditions are the toughest I've seen in 25 years and it is imperative that all levels of Government work towards making new building starts as easy as possible.

"This includes easing the cost of doing business and the cost of providing housing," said Mr Wales.

Media Release, 26 Jun 2012

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce