ZingDash

Five large developments will be fast tracked by the New South Wales government to build thousands of homes under a controversial pilot program.

Of the 100 projects submitted by developers to the Rezoning Pathways Pilot since it was announced last December, the Planning department has announced five will progress to the next phase.

The five projects will build a combined 5803 homes – almost 30 per cent of which will be social and affordable housing.

The contentious program, first announced by the former Perrottet government, allowed developers to apply directly to government to have their site rezoned, circumventing councils and leaving some communities feeling silenced.

The government said the pilot aimed to identify projects that warranted state assessment, because of their “potential contribution to increasing housing supply”.

To qualify, the developments had to commit to building more than 1000 homes in metropolitan areas, or 300 in regional areas.

The majority of the proposed projects will be built in the outskirts of western Sydney.

Up to 1800 homes will be built in a Schofields development, up to 1118 will be built in Warrawong, up to 1585 will be built in Glenmore Park, and further afield up to 500 homes will be built in Wagga Wagga and up to 800 will be built in Kanwal.

Developers now have until September 14 to submit a planning proposal for the projects to proceed.

Since the pilot program was announced it has attracted outrage from councils and community groups – attacking the government for prioritising developer interests over their communities.

The Department of Planning said councils, which were subject to a confidentiality. process during the program, would be closely engaged as the projects progressed.

“These councils (with selected projects in their local government area) will be notified by the department and can meet with the department to discuss the selected project in more detail,” a document from the department says.

“The department will also advise council about key steps or milestones for the relevant state assessed planning proposal (e.g. when a Gateway determination is issued, dates for public exhibition, etc.).”

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