The Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund was launched on 25 August 2022 as part of the part of the NSW Government's response to the Regional Housing Taskforce’s recommendations. The Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund is a $12 million competitive grants program that aims to enable and accelerate the delivery of strategic planning projects, technical studies, and policies that support increased housing supply, affordability, diversity, and resilience in regional NSW.
The objectives of the fund are to support eligible strategic planning projects that:
- enable and accelerate new housing capacity and the delivery of zoned and ‘development-ready’ residential land in regional NSW
- support new housing capacity in regional NSW and enable future development by resolving issues and constraints
- better align and coordinate housing and infrastructure delivery
- support more housing choice and the availability of affordable and diverse housing in regional NSW
- make housing in regional NSW more resilient to natural hazards and other potential shocks and stresses
- empower and support local councils to plan strategically for future housing supply.
Round 2
Applications for round 2 of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund are now open until 29 September 2023.
Eligible councils are encouraged to apply for these competitive grants, which will help deliver the strategies, plans and studies needed to support the delivery of housing that meets community needs.
Up to $3 million in funding is available in round 2, with funding from $20,000 up to $250,000 available for each successful project.
Eligible projects include:
- housing strategies
- contributions schemes
- LEP amendments
- infrastructure planning
- technical studies
- structure plans
- projects that identify solutions to broader housing issues.
Councils wishing to apply for funding under the program should:
- Review the updated program guidelines, fact sheet, frequently asked questions, application guide and draft funding agreement template
- Register to attend the information session for applicants at 11 am on 16 August 2023
- Complete and submit their application through the SmartyGrants portal by 12 pm Friday 29 September 2023.
The department will announce successful applications by December 2023.
Round 1
Round 1 of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund opened on 25 August 2022 and closed on 30 September 2022. Up to $3 million of funding was originally available in round 1 for all councils outside of Greater Sydney. In response to strong interest and a high volume of applications, this was increased to up to $4 million. $9 million in funding remains for future funding rounds, including round 2.
Funding for round 1 was announced in December 2022, with $3.85 million allocated to 20 projects from 19 councils.
Round 1 projects are currently being delivered and are scheduled for completion by 31 January 2024. These projects will deliver on a range of planning initiatives that will contribute to the delivery of new housing supply and address local housing issues. This includes bringing forward a range of planning activities such as the preparation of local housing strategies, master planning initiatives, affordable housing contribution schemes and infrastructure plans.
Projects selected for round 1 funding
Grant recipients
The table below lists the 20 projects that were funded in Round 1.
| LGA | Project title | Grant approved |
|---|---|---|
| Albury City Council | Accelerating Housing in Thurgoona Wirlinga Growth Area | $247,500 |
| Armidale Regional Council | Armidale Local Housing Strategy development and implementation | $200,000 |
| Bathurst Regional Council | Laffing Waters Master Plan Precinct Contributions Plan | $100,000 |
| Bega Valley Shire Council | Urban Structure Planning for Bega and Wolumla | $248,370 |
| City of Newcastle | City of Newcastle Urban Renewal Corridor project | $250,000 |
| Clarence Valley Council | Clarence Valley Regional Housing Strategy | $150,000 |
| Griffith City Council | Yenda Village Growth Area Master Plan | $204,891 |
| Hay Shire Council | Hay Shire Housing Facilitation Project | $103,000 |
| Lismore City Council | Lismore Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme | $74,810 |
| MidCoast Council | MidCoast planning control review to unlock housing | $226,219 |
| Moree Plains Shire Council | Moree Plains Housing Development Strategy | $250,000 |
| Port Stephens Council | Raymond Terrace Sub-Precincts Master Plan (joint project with NSW Land and Housing Corporation) | $107,400 |
| Port Stephens Council | Shoal Bay Precinct Drainage Design | $250,000 |
| Shoalhaven City Council | Shoalhaven Affordable Housing Strategy and Housing Issues Research | $200,000 |
| Snowy Monaro Regional Council | Berridale and Kalkite Infrastructure Study | $200,000 |
| Tamworth Regional Council | Tamworth Regional Housing Strategy | $147,000 |
| Tweed Shire Council | Tweed Growth Management Housing Strategy | $249,059 |
| Wagga Wagga City Council | Wagga Wagga Local Housing Strategy | $250,000 |
| Wingecarribee Shire Council | Master Plan and Servicing Strategy for Bowral South New Living Area | $250,000 |
| Wollongong City Council | West Dapto Centres Master Planning | $250,000 |
For more information about the grant program, contact the team at [email protected]