New housing construction is seen at Schofields, north west of Sydney [Source: Reuters]
A former train depot and an access shaft for a new-age project are among the sites set to be turned into almost 1400 homes.
Fourteen more sites including three in regional areas were announced on Thursday from a deep-dive of unused government land in NSW.
One proposal would redevelop land on the site of the heritage-listed Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot in Newcastle into 208 homes.
Subdivision of the site was recommended for approval by the council in March.
Another 90 homes could be built on a site used by workers to build the Sydney Metro Victoria Cross station, the state government says.
In Sydney’s northwest, two sites will be given to social housing agency Homes NSW to build about 85 social, affordable and market homes.
Other identified sites – mostly vacant lots – are spread over Sydney, the Central Coast and NSW central west.
“We know housing affordability and availability is the single biggest pressure facing the people of NSW,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“Today’s announcement of further sites across Sydney and regional NSW is part of our commitment to provide for housing for renters, first home buyers and the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Some 28 sites, capable of providing more than 3000 homes, had been announced under the land audit, Lands Minister Steve Kamper said.
It’s previously turned up inner-city sites unused for decades.
The final approach to delivering housing on the latest group of sites would be confirmed after further due diligence and planning and regulatory approvals, the government said.
Construction is also due to begin within weeks on 194 social homes across the state.
The 16 sites span from the Northern Rivers to the Riverina, and include projects to turn sets of stand-alone houses into multi-level dwellings.
The land audit, which began in April 2023, has been criticised by the opposition for so far failing to build a single home.
NEW LAND AUDIT SITES
Broadmeadow – 208 dwellings estimated
Orange – 15
Morisset – 11
Rouse Hill (three sites) – 10 + 691 + 176
North Sydney – 90
Box Hill – 71
Edmondson Park – 47
Chippendale – 21
Fairfield – 24
Riverstone – 11
Stanmore – 5
Earlwood – 3
