Evidence Base for Local Housing Strategy

The Evidence Base for Local Housing Strategy is a study of current and future population and housing trends for our local government area (LGA). It was undertaken by consultants to assist us in the preparation of the:

• Local Housing Strategy;
• Inclusive Housing Strategy and Delivery Program; and
• Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040

The main findings from the study include:
 

Support ageing in place	Estimated population of 185,000 by 2036. Largest increase is residents 60 years and older. Major growth in smaller households in Lugarno, Oatley, Blakehurst, Kyle Bay and Connells Point. Need for support services to help the elderly age at home.
Encourage housing choice	Mismatch between housing demand and supply. Small households are forecast to grow by 41%. Little choice for small houses to suit the ageing population outside of Hurstville and Kogarah. Different medium density housing is needed for mature families, empty nesters and older single households.
Need age diversification	The current supply of larger houses which smaller older households live in, does not become available for younger family households. Increasing housing types will free up the supply of larger houses. This will increase housing choice for family households, the main household in our LGA. Increasing housing types will help maintain population levels and create sustainable, fair and healthy communities.
Address housing affordability	Rate of housing stress in our LGA is higher than the Greater Sydney average, especially for renters with very low or low incomes. Housing variety at different prices can help address the issue of housing affordability. Inclusive Housing Strategy and Delivery Program provides recommendations to encourage diverse and affordable housing for the next 20 years.
Continue to encourage housing along transport corridors	Housing in and around commercial centres and transport corridors provides residents with easy access to amenities, services and public transport. Design is important for maintaining attractive areas. This includes making sure that a percentage of housing is suitable for the elderly. Ensure there is housing mix in new developments so residents can stay in the area.

Council endorsed the study in June 2019. For more information, please visit our Community Profile.
 

Local Housing Strategy

The Local Housing Strategy sets a plan to deliver housing in our LGA over the next 10 and 20 years. The Strategy links our vision for housing with the Actions of the:

• South District Plan (including housing targets); and
• Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040.

The Strategy contains Housing Objectives which set out the future policy direction for housing in our LGA. This is in response to the gaps and issues identified by the Georges River Evidence Base for Local Housing Strategy.

• Objective 1: Accommodate additional housing growth
• Objective 2: Coordinate growth with infrastructure
• Objective 3: Provide affordable and inclusive housing
• Objective 4: Provide greater housing choice and diversity
• Objective 5: Have consistent LEP zones and controls across the LGA
• Objective 6: Enhance and protect the local character
• Objective 7: Facilitate good design and sustainable development practices

Council adopted the Local Housing Strategy in August 2020. 
 

Housing Investigation Areas Paper

This Housing Investigation Areas Paper explains why the five Housing Investigation Areas identified in the Local Housing Strategy were selected. Zoning changed in these areas as part of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021. This will create an extra 650 medium density (town houses) and high density (apartments) housing in locations across our LGA near public transport, shops and services, schools, community facilities and open space.
 

Inclusive Housing Strategy and Delivery Program

The NSW Government encourages the development of new, and maintaining existing, affordable housing. The South District Plan states that councils are to include affordable housing targets.

We engaged consultants to develop the Inclusive Housing Strategy and Delivery Program. It aims:

• To research and develop strategies to increase affordable housing supply for different households. These include the very low to moderate income households, seniors, people with a disability, students, key workers and the broader residential market;
• To encourage affordable, adaptable and diverse housing;
• To develop planning controls and procedures that prevent the loss of existing, and deliver new, affordable housing;
• To support, and build partnerships to increase, affordable and liveable housing; and
• To explore options for managing affordable housing.

Council adopted the Inclusive Housing Strategy and Delivery Program in August 2020. 
 

Affordable Housing Policy

We prepared an Affordable Housing Policy, adopted by Council in May 2021. 

The Policy outlines our position and approach to providing affordable housing in our LGA. The Policy contains a target of between 5% and 10% of new dwellings as affordable housing by 2040.