NSW Government property audit for housing
A robust, centralised process to assess Government property suitability for housing and address the housing supply shortage.
About the project
Housing the people of our state is a top priority for the NSW Government.
In May 2023, all NSW Government agencies were directed to immediately pause the sale of Government-owned land and property while an audit is undertaken to determine what could potentially be used to address the NSW housing supply shortage.
The Government’s objectives with respect to surplus property are to:
- maximise dwelling yield
- minimise the time to delivery of new housing
- support the delivery of affordable or key worker rental housing, where practicable and feasible
- support modern methods of construction, where practicable and feasible
- support increased productivity in the housing sector through innovative approaches to development and construction; and
- ensure value for money.
As Government’s central property agency, Property and Development NSW, with the assistance of the Cabinet Office, is conducting an audit to identify available Government property that may be suitable for housing.
Its focus is on Government-owned property that is no longer needed for service delivery or infrastructure in priority housing areas where there is a community need for housing.
As part of the audit process, PDNSW undertakes initial due diligence (an appraisal process) on nominated sites using the Government’s land use evaluation tool, Land iQ, before more detailed due diligence takes place.
The audit continues to identify sites not being used by Government that are suitable for housing.
Homes NSW and Landcom, the Government’s developers, have the first choice of these sites for the delivery of social, affordable, essential worker and market housing.
The identified sites they do not require will be prioritised for divestment to the private sector to deliver market housing.
All sites identified through the property audit will be subject to agency assessments and local planning approvals, which will determine the final number of homes.
The property audit is ongoing.
Registrations of Interest process
In late 2024, members of the public were invited to register their interest in buying one, or more, of 22 Government sites identified for private market housing delivery.
The Registrations of Interest process closed on 14 December 2024. Submissions will be reviewed to help inform how we sell the sites on the private market to ensure they deliver the best possible outcomes for communities across NSW.
More information on the property sales will be available in early 2025.
Background
The property audit is one component of the NSW Government’s broad range of policy objectives and initiatives to support housing delivery across the state.