The NSW government has handed almost $54 million to councils that have sped up their development assessment processes, in a move the Property Council of Australia says tackles one of the biggest levers available to boost housing supply.
Property Council NSW executive director Katie Stevenson (pictured) said the funding recognises that council-level decision-making is central to how quickly new homes reach the market.
"NSW needs more homes and we need them delivered faster. Councils assess most development applications across the state, so improving assessment performance is one of the most effective ways to accelerate housing supply," Stevenson said.
Under the Faster Assessments Incentive Program, five Hunter councils will share $9 million, while four councils across the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region will receive a combined $6 million. Successful councils in the program's first round include Wollongong City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Blacktown City Council, Cessnock City Council, City of Parramatta Council, Port Stephens Council, Cumberland City Council, and Campbelltown City Council.
Stevenson welcomed the government's approach of directly rewarding performance rather than simply mandating faster timeframes.
"It's encouraging to see the government recognising and rewarding councils that are cutting red tape, reducing delays and helping bring forward new housing opportunities for their communities," she said.
This grants program sits alongside a separate, broader reform effort — the Housing Delivery Authority pathway for major projects — which has helped cut development assessment times by close to a third and lift approvals 20% since 2023, with close to 80,000 homes now under construction statewide.
Faster assessments only solve part of the problem: NSW commencements fell 29% and completions dropped 15% in the March quarter, with Stevenson noting cost and financing pressures continue to weigh on delivery even after approval.
The program isn't just about speeding up paperwork. Stevenson noted the incentive structure also acknowledges that new housing needs to be matched by investment in the infrastructure that supports it.
"The Faster Assessments Incentive Program also acknowledges housing growth must be accompanied by vital investment in the roads, parks, sporting facilities, and community spaces that make neighbourhoods great places to live," she said.
The Property Council has long pushed for planning reform at every level of government, arguing that assessment delays are a key handbrake on new housing supply reaching the market.
Stevenson said the results were already becoming visible.
"The continued focus on assessment timeframes is delivering results. Faster decisions provide greater certainty for communities, councils and industry, helping projects proceed sooner and getting more homes into the pipeline," she said.
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