Staff Reporter
Housing affordability and supply were the key issues discussed at UrbanGrowth NSW’s conference in Penrith on Monday.
Home 2013 was the government body’s first major design to stimulate discussion about addressing the gaps in the New South Wales housing market for those at the forefront of delivering the state’s communities of the future.
"We need to work together to find a way to deliver the estimated half a million new homes we’ll need in the next 20 years in an affordable and achievable way,” said chairman John Brogden.
“UrbanGrowth NSW has an important role to play in helping facilitate this. This conference is the ideal forum for generating meaningful conversation that needs to happen between and among the public and private sectors.”
Keynote speaker was former CEO of the Real Property Association of Canada (REALpac) and partner at Aird & Berlis LLP, Michael Brooks.
He spoke about the need for Sydney to build more high rises to make housing prices more affordable.
The conference also highlighted the Thornton Park Master Plan in North Penrith as an example of the future of housing in Sydney.
“Thornton is a community that has been meticulously planned to ensure future residents are well connected to Sydney’s central business districts,” Mr Brogden said.
“The community is a good example of the role UrbanGrowth NSW will play in unlocking sites which are located in close proximity to public transport and other critical infrastructure.”