Sydney Water, the New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and WaterNSW have joined forces to fast-track the delivery of new water infrastructure.
The New South Wales Government said that this joint initiative aims to slash the red tape to get more homes built faster across the state, speed up approvals and ensure new properties are connected and ready to turn on the tap sooner.
The cross-government team has unveiled the Housing Approval Reform Action Plan, which provides a clear blueprint to streamline approvals and accelerate the delivery of critical water infrastructure.
The State Government said that every new home requires essential infrastructure. From providing drinking water and wastewater management to handling stormwater, a robust water cycle management plan is a key factor in assessing land use and development proposals in New South Wales.
Government agencies evaluate a wide range of potential impacts on water quality, including stormwater management, erosion and sediment control during construction and wastewater disposal.
Beyond accelerating housing construction, the plan will focus on protecting, enhancing, and restoring waterways and water sources to ensure long-term sustainability.
New South Wales Minister for Housing and Water, Rose Jackson, said that drinking water, wastewater and stormwater might not be front of mind, but they’re make-or-break for getting homes built and ready to live in.
“We’re cutting red tape, speeding up approvals and pulling every lever we’ve got to get more homes on the ground faster – because New South Wales can’t afford delays,” Ms Jackson said.
“This plan is about fixing the system. The entire New South Wales water sector has come together with developers to find solutions that actually work and get things moving.
“These are practical changes that will slash approval timeframes and address industry concerns – while still doing the right thing by our water sources and environment.”
New South Wales Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, Katie Stevenson, said that when applications for apartment buildings get the stamp of approval from planning, there are often further strings attached. For example, significant excavations need additional sign-off from water authorities and this adds costly further delays to the delivery of new housing.
“Today’s announcement effectively declares 2025 as a year of cultural change for the three water authorities involved in the pre-construction approval of new housing – it is the sort of leadership we need to align all aspects of the government’s activities toward the resolution of the housing crisis,” Ms Stevenson said.
“We appreciate the priorities outlined in the action plan, along with the specific activities and timelines it includes, which have been created through extensive consultation with the industry.”
The Housing Approval Reform Action Plan aims to streamline housing delivery and eases system pressure through clear actions, including:
- Expanding risk-based triaging for all referrals to ensure homes that are ready can be connected without delay
- Streamlining the removal of groundwater process on building sites to ensure construction can commence quickly and safety
- Revising key performance indicators to mitigate inefficiencies
- Support developers and Water Servicing Coordinators in getting their applications right from the start
- Facilitating early engagement for smoother applications
Following an industry forum in August 2024, these reforms were shaped with key stakeholders and construction industry leaders, who highlighted real-world obstacles slowing housing development, to break down barriers and get more homes built faster.
The State Government said that this action plan strengthens its commitment to building a better New South Wales, including:
- $2.2 billion infrastructure investment to fund more housing, critical infrastructure and better planning for housing
- More than $250 million to continue the overhaul of the planning system and planning reforms
- The development of the New South Wales Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns
- $5.1 billion to build 8400 new public homes, the largest investment in social and affordable housing
- Creation of Housing Delivery Authority that recently announced plans to fast-track the delivery of 6400 new homes
To learn more, visit water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/plans-and-strategies/housing-approval-reform-action-plan/
