Central Coast Council has welcomed the NSW Government’s recent announcement that Mr Garry Fielding will head the Regional Housing Taskforce.

The newly formed Taskforce will seek to combat housing supply shortage across regional New South Wales, delivering recommendations to stimulate housing supply, address housing needs and promote the delivery of affordable housing.

Council Director Environment and Planning Scott Cox said Council looks forward to working with Mr Fielding and the Regional Housing Taskforce to address short and long-term housing needs on the Central Coast.

“Housing supply and housing affordability are both critical issues on the Central Coast and we look forward to working with Mr Fielding and his team to gain better insight into the issues facing our region and what steps we can take to address them,” Mr Cox said.

“This Taskforce will complement the work Council is currently undertaking to develop its Housing Strategy, which will examine housing demand and supply on the Coast and the amount, type and location of new housing, as well as identifying barriers to delivery and recommended actions to overcome them.

“Council will take into consideration any recommendations put forward by the Taskforce in the development of its Housing Strategy and plans to exhibit a discussion paper on the Strategy in the coming months.

“This also coincides with Council’s work as part of its Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy 2020, which seeks to provide effective policy solutions to address the growing need for affordable and alternative housing within the Central Coast LGA.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Taskforce is welcomed at a time where the Central Coast is experiencing significant growth, with high demand for housing supply.

“Council’s Housing Strategy will be a key element of our Council-wide strategic planning framework and we look forward to working alongside the Regional Housing Taskforce to develop a plan which meets the unique demands of our region,” Mr Hart said.

“Council is already achieving great outcomes through its Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy and we look forward to working with the Taskforce to achieve our vision for a fair and inclusive region, where everyone has access to affordable and sustainable housing.”

The NSW Regional Housing Taskforce will seek to undertake engagement with local government, industry and the community to assist in formulating responses and recommendations relating to housing supply in regional NSW.

Written submissions can be made up until 27 August 2021 via the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Planning Portal: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/regional-housing.

To learn more about Council’s Affordable Housing Strategy, search ‘affordable housing’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.