The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the declaration of more Hunter and Central Coast projects as State Significant Development (SSD).

It follows recent recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

And, the move could deliver 584 new homes – including provision for affordable housing – in Gosford (John Whiteway Drive), Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

The HDA’s endorsement comprises the Sydney Junction Hotel, plus 8 Beaumont Street and 2 Hudson Street, in Hamilton (272 dwellings as part of a shop-top development); plus 644–650 Pacific Highway, Belmont (192 residences in a proposed shop-top venture).

Property Council Hunter and Central Coast regional director Nuatali Nelmes said the decision showed real momentum in getting new homes moving.

“Declaring these projects as State Significant Development recognises their scale and importance to both regions’ growth,” she explained.

“This gives them an alternate pathway through the planning system and helps deliver the kind of housing our communities urgently need – from apartments close to transport, to family homes in growing suburbs.”

Ms Nelmes said the outcome also reflected the work of the HDA to identify and back-in undertakings that could unlock housing supply, noting that planning approvals must be matched by infrastructure that arrives on time and at scale.

“The Housing Delivery Authority is delivering on its purpose — clearing roadblocks and accelerating projects that bring real supply to the market,” she added.

“It’s a welcome shift towards a planning system where growth is approved and concurrently needs to be actively supported by the social infrastructure, roads and essential services that communities rely on.

“With housing affordability and rental stress still a major challenge across our region, every project that gets the green light is another step towards giving local families and essential workers a fair shot at finding a home.

“The real success will lie in the delivery of these ventures.”

Since the formation of the HDA in January, 11 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been considered from the Central Coast with four declared with the potential to deliver 1,209 new homes.

In the Hunter, 22 EOIs have been deliberated, with 10 affirmed with the potential for 2,382 premises.

The Property Council of Australia indicated continued support for the HDA and the use of State Significant Development would be critical to meeting the Hunter and Central Coast’s share – more than 10% (39,800) – of NSW’s ambitious 377,000 new homes by 2029 housing target.

For more news stories:

• Newcastle Art Gallery reopens new expanded display
• Muswellbrook’s streamlined approvals process a win for partnership with Newcastle 
• Newcastle’s international terminal open for business

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.