The Regional Housing Taskforce has released its findings on how to address the crisis facing regional and rural Australia.
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The taskforce was introduced to find solutions to the lack of housing in regional Australia, and identified Griffith as having concerning 'pockets of overcrowding'.
Factors contributing to the record-high demand for lower supply include skyrocketing prices and the time needed to approve, develop and build new housing.
Time is of the essence, with many of the taskforce's recommendations aimed at fast-tracking development to catch up with supply.
The group has outlined five key recommendations, with fifteen interventions outlined to ensure the recommendations are followed through. The recommendations include measures to bring forward 'development ready' land, and to increase affordability and diversity of housing across regional NSW.
The taskforce also highlighted the need to investigate delivery of short-term housing and what can be done to facilitate that along with improving real estate monitoring to prevent a crisis build-up in the future.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the government would now consider the recommendations and provide a response later this year.
"The recommendations confirm there is no silver bullet solution and we must work in partnership with industry and and local councils to create more housing opportunities."
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Griffith's local council is working to address the housing crisis itself, with the new strategies to rezone additional land for residential housing on large lots.
Kelly McNicol, Council's Contract Strategic Planner, explained the plan at council's meeting on November 9.
"In terms of Hanwood, there's a large area that has been zoned for urban release. We're hoping around 180 to 200 homes would be available in that area," Mr McNicol said.
"This strategy relates just to large-lot zones, which roughly accounts for 15 per cent of the houses that are constructed yearly ... We are recommending a number of sites be rezoned, this strategy provides the evidence for us to go to the State Government and say 'we need more land for this purpose.'"
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the taskforce's recommendations reflected the unique housing needs of regional communities.
"The pandemic has put new pressure on regional housing markets over the last year and I welcome the Taskforce's recommendations for how we can alleviate that pressure with innovative, driven solutions," Mrs Pavey said.
"The need for more temporary accommodation for seasonal workers is of particular concern in many communities and we will consider the Taskforce's advice on how we can work with councils to deliver this."
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