NSW Government review of potential housing sites

A series of reviews are currently underway by the NSW Government as part of its commitment to increase housing supply to meet projected housing demand across NSW. These include looking at the impediments to the release of additional housing, along with a review of major landholdings for their potential to provide more homes. To assist in this process, the NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure has requested the participation of a range of major development companies, industry associations and landowners, including Lend Lease.

Lend Lease was asked to identify any impediments or opportunities for delivering additional housing across our major projects in NSW. Lend Lease’s findings were submitted in November 2011 and these included an assessment of additional housing opportunities at Bingara Gorge.

Potential for additional housing at Bingara Gorge

The submission by Lend Lease to the NSW Government identified an opportunity for additional housing in undeveloped areas of Bingara Gorge. This is based on the availability of suitable land within the Bingara Gorge Masterplan.

Lend Lease has proposed an increase in approximately 500 residential lots at the Bingara Gorge community.  Any potential increase in the number of homes at Bingara Gorge would, however, need to meet a range of objectives. These include:

§  Maintaining the high quality development standards already well established at Bingara Gorge; 

§  Retaining the significant points of difference of the Bingara Gorge project, including open space and low density living;

§  Being restricted to land within Bingara Gorge Masterplan already identified for residential development;

§  No impact on land protected by Environmental Trust or land allocated to the golf course;

§  Working closely with relevant authorities, including Wollondilly Shire Council, to ensure compliance with all appropriate planning and approval frameworks and to identify and resolve any additional infrastructure requirements; and

§  Providing regular information to key stakeholders, including residents of Bingara Gorge and the local community.

 Potential benefits of additional housing for Bingara Gorge and Wilton land owners

The proposed increase in housing will result in an increase in the resident population at Bingara Gorge and Wilton, providing the potential for greater opportunities for:

§  A more comprehensive retail offer for Bingara Gorge and Wilton Township residents;

§  Medical and other health care services;

§  An increase in local employment from retail, commercial and development activities;

§  Additional improvements to local roads and amenity in Wilton Township;

§  Enhanced local sporting facilities;

§  Improved public transport viability; and

§  Reduction in community levies per household

 Next steps

Lend Lease understands the NSW Government is now reviewing the submissions it has received and we await the outcome of this process. At this stage the government is yet to announce any findings in relation to its review or the process surrounding any further assessment and determinations.

While no decision has been made in relation to additional housing at Bingara Gorge, any potential approval to increase the amount of housing would follow a rigorous environmental and planning assessment process consistent with our approach to date. 

For more information, click here to read Q&As.