The proposed reforms align closely with key issues raised through the Property Council's advocacy, including its recent Ready to Grow: Unlocking Industrial Growth in NSW research report, particularly making better use of existing industrial land, increasing genuinely development-ready supply, removing planning barriers and tackling infrastructure and servicing constraints.
They are set to provide greater flexibility for modern industrial development, including multi-storey warehousing, distribution centres and freight and logistics facilities, alongside new indicative targets for development-ready industrial land across regional NSW, the Central Coast and Lower Hunter.
Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson said the completion of the Action Plan was a vital step forward in an area critical to the state's economic growth.
"The Government deserves credit for the progress it has made on industrial lands reform and for seeing its Industrial Lands Action Plan through to this final element," Ms Stevenson said.
"Industrial land doesn't always get the same level of attention as housing, but it's fundamental to how our cities and regions work. It is where goods are stored, businesses operate, jobs are created and our freight and supply chains connect," Ms Stevenson said.
"Our Ready to Grow research made the case that having industrial land identified on a map isn't enough – it needs to be genuinely ready for businesses to invest, build and operate.
"We've seen real progress from the Government in recognising the importance of industrial land and putting in place a stronger framework to protect it, plan for it, and unlock it for growth. Today's announcement builds on that, and it responds to many of the issues we've raised.
"Simpler and more flexible planning controls, more focus on development-ready land and action to address infrastructure and servicing constraints are exactly the kinds of reforms NSW needs.
"We particularly welcome the Government setting indicative targets for development-ready industrial land. That shifts the conversation from how much land is available on paper to how much land is in fact capable of supporting new investment.
"The next challenge will be to get the detail of the reforms right so we can realise the full potential of development-ready land. That includes making sure roads, power, water, and other infrastructure reach the right precincts at the right time.
"There's more to do, but the Government has made positive steps, and we look forward to working closely with them throughout the exhibition process to make sure these changes deliver the investment, jobs and economic capacity NSW needs to power the state for the decades ahead."
