The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the NSW Government’s release of the Sydney Plan and State Land Use Plan as strong steps towards a more coordinated, feasibility-led approach to planning, but cautioned the real test will be turning plans into homes, jobs and infrastructure on the ground.
Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson stated that the final plans showed the Government had listened to industry concerns about the need to move beyond theoretical housing capacity and to focus on what can genuinely be delivered, and when.
“Many of the key themes adopted in the final Sydney Plan align with recommendations of the Property Council during consultation, including the focus on feasibility, long-term housing capacity, industrial land supply, infrastructure coordination, improved monitoring and reporting, and a clearer connection between planning decisions and delivery outcomes.
“One of the most significant changes is the recognition that housing capacity only matters if it is feasible and deliverable.
“We have consistently argued that homes only count when they are built.
“The commitment to maintain a long-term pipeline of feasible housing capacity and develop future housing targets beyond the current Housing Accord period is an important step forward and reflects the direction called for in our advocacy.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Moreover, Katie believes the plans help establish a stronger framework for managing growth, with a focus on housing supply, employment, infrastructure, industrial lands and investment certainty.
“Businesses investing billions of dollars in housing, industrial and commercial property and infrastructure need a clear view of the long-term future of Sydney. They need confidence about where major infrastructure will be delivered, how emerging centres will grow, and how government agencies will align behind a single vision.
“The Sydney Plan forecasts 800,000 additional homes and 950,000 jobs over the next 20 years, but this is ultimately about more than housing, it’s an economic growth and productivity agenda. A city that cannot accommodate growth will struggle to compete for talent, capital and jobs.
“Sydney’s future prosperity depends on attracting investment, growing productive employment centres, protecting industrial land, delivering infrastructure on time and ensuring businesses have the confidence to invest for the long term.
“The Property Council also welcomes the release of the NSW State Land Use Plan, which provides a more consistent strategic framework across the state and reinforces the importance of feasibility, infrastructure coordination and long-term planning.
“The Sydney Plan and State Land Use Plan together provide a sound strategic foundation and recognise the need to better coordinate how growth is planned across the state. “Importantly, the plans recognise that planning is not simply about housing supply. They are also about productivity, economic growth and the competitiveness of NSW.
“The broader focus on industrial land, employment centres, infrastructure coordination and long-term investment signals a welcome recognition that homes and jobs must be planned together if communities are to thrive.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
The Property Council will continue to advocate for stronger accountability, infrastructure coordination and implementation mechanisms to support the ambitions outlined in the plans.
“We need a clear line of sight on all development projects, from targets through to rezonings, approvals, commencements and completions, with transparent public reporting at every stage, and we need timely infrastructure delivery that supports growth from day one.
“The success of these plans will depend heavily on local government implementation. Councils have been given substantial responsibilities, from planning for long-term feasible housing capacity through to reviewing local planning controls, infrastructure priorities and employment lands.
“That workload is significant and the State Government will need to provide clear guidance, resources and support if implementation is to occur consistently across NSW and result in the best possible built outcomes for communities.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
The organisation particularly welcomed emphasis on feasibility, monitoring, industrial land supply and long-term planning, but said implementation would require continued collaboration between government, councils, agencies and industry.
“The Government deserves credit for working closely with industry and the community to undertake substantial planning reform, and these plans build upon that good work. Now it’s time to focus relentlessly on delivery.
“The Property Council will continue to work with government on feasibility testing, infrastructure sequencing, housing delivery, employment lands and the practical reforms needed to give these plans the best chance of success.
“Our shared objective is clear: more homes, more jobs, stronger communities and a more productive, globally competitive NSW.
“If we maintain a partnership approach and focus on implementation, these plans can become an important platform for the next generation of growth across Sydney and NSW.”
Katie Stevenson, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
