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Planning

Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund

In August 2022 the NSW Government launched a new competitive grant program to support regional councils to plan for the delivery of new housing to meet community needs.

The Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund will make up to $12 million available over four years from 2022-23. All regional councils are eligible to apply.

The fund is part of the NSW Government's comprehensive response to recommendations made by the Regional Housing Taskforce and the broader $2.8 billion 2022 Housing Package.

The fund was created to implement the taskforce's recommendation to support councils’ up-front strategic planning to help deliver housing and provide greater certainty about where, when and what types of homes will be built.

Round 1 of grant funding

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. Councils had until 30 September 2022 to submit applications for the grant in round 1.

Grants of up to $250,000 are available per project.

Eligible projects include:

  • housing strategies
  • contributions schemes
  • LEP amendments
  • infrastructure planning
  • technical studies
  • structure plans
  • projects that identify solutions to broader housing issues.

Projects selected for round 1 funding

Following rigorous assessment by an independent assessment panel, the NSW Government has endorsed funding for 20 projects from 19 councils in round 1 of the program. Funded projects will be completed by 31 January 2024 as set out in the program guidelines.

Successful councils 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.

Grant recipients

The table below lists the successful projects that have been offered funding 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

Information about future funding rounds will be announced in 2023. For more information about the grant program, contact the team at [email protected]