Infrastructure Opportunities Plans (IOP) set out the key state and regional infrastructure to support new homes in the 4 housing and productivity contribution regions: Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Illawarra‑Shoalhaven, and Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle.
The IOP identify infrastructure projects already funded or underway, along with future infrastructure that could be delivered as works-in-kind by developers under the Housing and Productivity Contribution Works in Kind Guideline.
The Plans help Government, councils, utilities and industry coordinate infrastructure investment so homes and services can be delivered together. This improves transparency, provides certainty and helps reduce delays to new housing.
The Urban Development Program updates the Plans every year. This ensures that emerging infrastructure needs arising from new rezonings and housing growth are captured and reflected in future updates.
Explore the plans
Read the Infrastructure Opportunities Plan – Greater Sydney (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Read the Infrastructure Opportunities Plan – Central Coast (PDF, 806 KB)
Read the Infrastructure Opportunities Plan – Illawarra-Shoalhaven (PDF, 823 KB)
Read the Infrastructure Opportunities Plan – Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle (PDF, 733 KB)
Frequently asked questions
Infrastructure Opportunities Plans identify state and regional infrastructure that support new homes over the short to medium term in Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, and the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle regions.
The Plans identify infrastructure projects already funded or underway, along with future infrastructure that could be delivered as works-in-kind by developers under the Housing and Productivity Contribution Works-in-Kind Guideline.
The NSW Government’s Urban Development Program, which sits within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, oversees the development and update of Infrastructure Opportunities Plans in consultation with the Urban Development Program Committees. The Urban Development Program brings together NSW Government agencies, local councils, utility providers and the development industry to align housing plans and infrastructure planning and delivery to support growing communities.
Infrastructure priorities are identified through the Urban Development Program Committees who provide recommendations of infrastructure projects in their region that should be considered for inclusion in an Infrastructure Opportunities Plan. These committees are collaborative forums made up of representatives from councils, utility providers, industry peaks, and NSW Government agencies responsible for planning and delivery of housing and employment related infrastructure.
The committees make recommendations to an interagency governance committee. The NSW Government endorses the Infrastructure Opportunities Plans.
No, a project’s inclusion in an Infrastructure Opportunities Plan does not represent an investment decision or Government commitment to deliver the project.
Any projects included in the plans that have been funded for delivery will be identified accordingly.
Yes, all infrastructure projects previously identified under a current or draft Special Infrastructure Contributions Scheme were considered for inclusion in these plans.
The first Infrastructure Opportunities Plans were built from projects that had already been publicly identified in existing NSW Government and council plans. These projects were then revalidated by state agencies, councils and utility providers to confirm they would support planned housing growth and could be delivered in the short to medium term.
State agencies, councils and utility providers reviewed the previously identified projects to ensure they aligned with updated housing forecasts, infrastructure priorities and delivery programs. Industry reports and housing market intelligence also informed the validation process.
This approach ensured that the first Infrastructure Opportunities Plans were based on evidence, existing commitments, and expert advice across Government and industry, providing a reliable foundation for future housing and infrastructure planning.
Infrastructure Opportunities Plans only include state‑delivered or state‑led regional infrastructure. Local roads, stormwater, community facilities and other council assets are funded through local contributions plans, not the housing and productivity contribution.
Utilities such as water, wastewater and electricity are also excluded because they are outside the scope of the housing and productivity contribution scheme, though the plans highlight where utility projects are already funded or underway to support housing.
Utility providers are key members on the Urban Development Program to plan and sequence infrastructure to support new homes.
Infrastructure Opportunities Plans will be updated annually through the NSW Government’s Urban Development Program.
Infrastructure Opportunities Plans work alongside council infrastructure plans. Councils help shape the plans through the Urban Development Program, where they share local development data and highlight local infrastructure needs. Council plans continue to guide local‑level infrastructure, while Infrastructure Opportunities Plans focus on state and regional projects.
For a complete picture of other infrastructure being delivered in a community, such as transport upgrades, new schools, health facilities and major capital works, visit:
- Transport for NSW (transport projects)
- Schools Infrastructure NSW (new and upgraded schools)
- Health Infrastructure (health facilities)
- NSW Government’s Infrastructure Pipeline