Together, these projects could deliver 584 new homes - including provision for affordable housing:
- 70 John Whiteway Drive, Gosford - 120 homes in a residential flat building
- Sydney Junction Hotel plus 8 Beaumont Street and 2 Hudson Street, Hamilton, Newcastle - 272 homes as part of a shop-top housing development
- 644-650 Pacific Highway, Belmont, Lake Macquarie - 192 homes in a shop-top housing project
Property Council Hunter and Central Coast Regional Director Nuatali Nelmes said the decision showed real momentum in getting new homes moving.
"Declaring these projects as State significant recognises their scale and importance to the Hunter and Central Coast's growth," Ms Nelmes said.
"This gives them an alternate pathway through the planning system and helps deliver the kind of housing our communities urgently need – from apartments close to transport, to family homes in growing suburbs."
Ms Nelmes said the decision reflected the work of the HDA to identify and back-in projects that can unlock housing supply, noting that planning approvals must be matched by infrastructure that arrives on time and at scale.
"The Authority is delivering on its purpose - clearing roadblocks and accelerating projects that bring real supply to the market. It's a welcome shift toward a planning system where growth is approved and concurrently needs to be actively supported by the social infrastructure, roads, and essential services that communities rely on.
"With housing affordability and rental stress still a significant challenge across our region, every project that gets the green light is another step towards giving local families and essential workers a fair shot at finding a home. The real success will lie in the delivery of these projects."
Since the formation of the HDA in January, 11 Expression of Interest (EOIs) have been considered from the Central Coast with 4 declared with the potential to deliver 1,209 new homes. In the Hunter, 22 EOIs have been considered, with 10 declared with the potential for 2,382 new homes.
The Property Council said continued support for the HDA and the use of State significant pathways will be critical to meeting the Hunter and Central Coast's share - more than 10 per cent (39,800) – of NSW's ambitious 377,000 new homes by 2029 housing target.
