Local Housing Strategy review 2025

Council is currently reviewing the Local Housing Strategy, with support from consultants, HillPDA.

The review will ensure clear outcomes relating to regional growth, alignment of infrastructure requirements and endorsement of the strategy.

Note - this review is based off the previous document development and engagement undertaken between 2022 and 2023.

🗃️ Project Background

The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) project commenced in 2022 with the intent to prepare a Council wide LHS which would:

• Establish a clear demographic evidence base;
• Identify housing demand/supply trends and diversity;
• Provide the projected residential land and dwelling requirements on a town-by-town basis;
• Assess the supply and capacity of our existing planning controls to cater for future demand in the short term (immediately to short term 0-10 years) and long term (10-20 years); and
• set triggers for residential land release based on tangible thresholds to ensure that we are monitoring and releasing land to strategically cater for growth.

A draft LHS was prepared in 2023 and was endorsed by Council but was not endorsed at the time by the NSW State Government Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

The previous draft LHS documents, community engagement undertaken and project history can be accessed via the Related Projects tab on this page.

📂 Current Project - developing the 2025 Draft LHS

Upon review, it was identified that the 2023 draft LHS did not meet requirements for future development and strategic planning within the Local Government Area. In particular, DPHI and other state agencies identified the 2023 draft LHS did not clearly address;

• clear growth outcomes and policy positions for future development opportunities;
• information regarding growth areas identified for short, medium and long-term development outcomes; and
• alignment between infrastructure provision and some of these growth areas.

We are now reviewing and updating the LHS to ensure it is fit for purpose.

🙋 Who has helped us develop the 2025 Draft LHS?

The significant community engagement program undertaken to develop the 2023 draft LHS has supported the development of the updated 2025 draft LHS, with further targeted engagement occurring with stakeholders such as NSW State Government Authorities, neighbouring councils (including Victorian Councils) and local private developers.

🔊 Public Exhibition Period now closed.

Thank you to all who provided feedback. Your feedback will be considered during the next stages of the project.