The NSW Government has released its finalised Works-in-Kind (WIK) Guideline and Infrastructure Opportunity Plans (IOPs) to support the faster delivery of infrastructure for housing growth.
The Government says the Guideline and IOPs will allow developers to meet their Housing and Productivity Contributions by directly delivering infrastructure like roads, open space and active transport or dedicating land for transport corridors, schools, emergency services or other public purposes.
The finalised Guideline sets out a process for assessing infrastructure proposals from developers and with the opportunity plans, directly aligns infrastructure projects with the supply of new homes.
“The Minns Labor Government is improving infrastructure delivery and project feasibility by allowing developers to deliver infrastructure like roads, open space and active transport, or dedicate land for transport corridors, schools, emergency services or other public purposes as part of reforms to infrastructure contributions,” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
“The Works in Kind Guideline and Infrastructure Opportunity Plans will work together to fast track and coordinate the delivery of new homes and the infrastructure to support them.
“We’re giving the industry a clear line of sight to the projects that matter most and making sure crucial enabling infrastructure can be delivered alongside housing, by allowing Works in Kind offers at various planning stages.
“This overturns the previous Government’s approach of delivering housing while ignoring the infrastructure needs of new or growing communities. When new communities are built, they need to include schools, transport and open spaces. Residents shouldn’t have to spend years fighting for them.”
The Guideline also allows developers to submit Works in Kind offers at various stages of planning including with a rezoning proposal and before or after gaining approval so housing and jobs enabling infrastructure can be delivered sooner.
Infrastructure Opportunity Plans have been developed which cover Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle, each providing a comprehensive list of projects which could be delivered through Works in Kind agreements.
Each plan was developed through the Urban Development Program that brings together state agencies, councils, utility providers, and industry peak bodies, to align plans for housing and infrastructure in each of NSW’s fastest‑growing regions.
The Government said the IOPs will be updated annually in line with the NSW Budget cycle to make sure enabling infrastructure is identified early and included in the forward planning for state agencies.
Proposals for projects on an Infrastructure Opportunity Plan will be assessed under a streamlined pathway, while projects not on an IOP will still be considered through separate criteria.
The Infrastructure Opportunity Plans provide transparency for proponents and communities on projects which can support future housing growth, including projects which may not yet have Government funding.
For more information about Works-in-Kind, visit: Housing and Productivity Contribution webpage.
For more about Infrastructure Opportunities Plans, visit: Infrastructure Opportunities Plans webpage.
