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The Coalition’s new housing plan, which invests $5bn in critical infrastructure to build over 500,000 new homes, marks a significant turning point for young people and families in Western Sydney. A central issue in our nation’s housing crisis is the struggle for young individuals and families to remain connected to their roots and the communities where they grew up. In NSW, discussions often focus on affordability and accessibility in suburbs near the Sydney CBD, however, the future of a thriving, family-oriented Western Sydney should not be overlooked. Addressing the housing crisis requires more than just constructing apartments; it necessitates a diverse range of housing options. Research from McCrindle shows 58 per cent of Gen Z aspire to own a freestanding home, yet there has been limited discussion on how to support these aspirations.
The same applies in large regional centres across our state. Instead, this government has its attention squarely on build-to-rent. The Coalition’s plan aims to support aspiring homeowners in Sydney’s Greater West and surrounding areas by fast-tracking the construction of essential services such as water, power, and sewerage in regions with abundant green space. This initiative has received backing from local councils, including those already doing the heavy lifting. Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun emphasises the need for upfront infrastructure funding, while Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter supports the policy, noting it will “deliver the required infrastructure we need.” In Ryde, Mayor Trenton Brown highlights a significant issue: “Inadequate funding from federal and state governments for the infrastructure we desperately need is one of the primary restraints on more housing being built in Sydney.” Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne reinforces this concern, stating, “If we are serious about tackling the housing crisis, then we must find a way to unlock housing supply quickly. Simply rezoning land won’t achieve this alone.”
Additionally, the plan includes a decade-long freeze on alterations to the national construction code. This bold move addresses the skyrocketing building costs that have intensified the crisis, frustrating both potential homeowners and the construction industry, in which nearly 5000 building companies (including small businesses), have gone insolvent since Labor took office. Sadly, but not surprisingly, Labor’s $32bn Housing Australian Future Fund has yet to deliver a single house after two years. While Labor loves to talk a big game about housing, their policies have not alleviated the crisis, particularly for families with aspirations of home ownership. The Coalition’s comprehensive plan aims to change that narrative by fighting for and focusing on the real needs of families in our communities.
Maria Kovacic is a Liberal federal senator for NSW
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