The Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund was launched on 25 August 2022 as 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.
Eligible projects include:
- housing strategies
- contributions schemes
- LEP amendments
- infrastructure planning
- technical studies
- structure plans
- projects that identify solutions to broader housing issues.
Round 2
Applications for round 2 of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund opened on 8 August 2023 and closed on 29 September 2023. Up to $3 million in funding was available in round 2, with funding from $20,000 up to $250,000 available for each successful project.
Funding for round 2 was announced in February 2024, with $2.93m in funding awarded to 16 councils. The funding will help councils plan strategically for future housing supply by enabling the delivery of projects such as local housing strategies, master and structure planning for new residential developments, and infrastructure servicing strategies.
Round 2 projects will support the delivery of approximately 23,769 homes.
Applications were rigorously assessed against the program criteria through a multi-stage process. The process involved review by an expert assessment panel made up of independent panellists and a departmental representative, as well as an assessment review committee of government agency representatives.
$6 million in funding remains for future funding rounds.
Read the updated Round 2 frequently asked questions (PDF, 131 KB) for more information.
Projects selected for round 2 funding
Grant recipients
The table below lists the 16 projects that were funded in Round 2.
| Applicant | Project title | Grant approved |
|---|---|---|
| Bega Valley Shire Council | Bega Urban Land Release Planning Proposal | $250,000 |
| Bogan Shire Council | Bogan Shire Council Local Housing Strategy | $163,636 |
| Brewarrina Shire Council | Brewarrina Local Housing Strategy and Local Environmental Plan review | $75,000 |
| Byron Shire Council | Byron Town Centre Urban Design Based Housing Density Study | $239,239 |
| Clarence Valley Council | Clarenza Structure Plan and Development Control Plan | $147,000 |
| Cowra Shire Council | Cowra Council Local Housing Strategy | $92,900 |
| Dungog Shire Council | Clarence Town Structure Plan | $170,000 |
| Federation Council | Federation Stormwater Servicing Plan | $230,000 |
| Forbes Shire Council | North Forbes Servicing Strategy | $250,000 |
| Greater Hume Shire Council | West-Jindera Residential Land Precinct | $165,000 |
| Gunnedah Shire Council | Gunnedah Development Control Plan, Contributions Plan and Development Services Plan | $202,500 |
| Leeton Shire Council | Leeton Integrated Land-use, Infrastructure and Transport Strategy | $220,000 |
| Maitland City Council | East Maitland Catalyst Area Structure Plan and Infrastructure Needs Analysis | $243,000 |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Mid-Western Regional Council Local Housing Strategy | $195,000 |
| Muswellbrook Shire Council | Muswellbrook Shire Council Local Housing Strategy | $135,909 |
| Parkes Shire Council | East Parkes flood study and housing strategy review | $150,000 |
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. 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.
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]