The NSW government has announced a $62.5 million funding boost to accelerate housing-related infrastructure in key growth areas across the state.
The funding — part of the State Voluntary Planning Agreement (SVPA) program established in 2010 — will use developer contributions to deliver state and regional infrastructure in growing areas.
This latest round of funding will support projects in 12 local government areas across the Lower Hunter, Illawarra, North West and South West Growth Areas, Wollondilly, and the Central Coast.
These projects are expected to support up to 135,000 new homes forecast to be built over the next decade.
The $62.5 million in grants will be allocated to building and repairing roads, improving stormwater drainage, building new parks, and enhancing local environments in growing communities.
Councils and state agencies in each area can nominate projects for consideration, with shortlisted projects assessed by an independent technical expert and reviewed by an internal panel before being submitted to the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for approval.
Since the program’s inception, over $220 million in contributions have been collected from developers and invested in 30 state and regional infrastructure projects supporting more than 70,000 new homes.
Successful projects to receive funding include the upgrade of Richmond Road in Marsden Park and the acquisition of land for a new fire station in Cessnock.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully emphasised the importance of delivering infrastructure alongside new homes and highlighted the government’s commitment to closing the infrastructure gap.
“This program is helping us maintain a rolling pipeline of infrastructure that supports new homes and jobs where these funds are collected.
“It builds on our $2.2 billion NSW Budget Housing and Infrastructure Plan announced in the last Budget and on key planning reforms introduced to accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing in places where people want to live,” said Scully.
Nominations for projects are now open until 29 May 2024.
To nominate a project, visit the SVPA Funding Nominations website, or for more information, visit the NSW Planning website.
