The comments come ahead of a special Property Council event in Merewether on 31 October bringing together government, community housing providers and private developers to discuss ways to accelerate local housing delivery.
Property Council Hunter & Central Coast Regional Director Nuatali Nelmes said reform momentum is starting to translate into a stronger pipeline and more certainty across the region.
"Our region is ready to build, and the reforms now on the books can help us move more quickly from approval to delivery, providing more diverse and affordable housing options for families, essential workers and people in need," Ms Nelmes said.
"The task now is practical delivery - that means working shoulder-to-shoulder and staying focused on the goal with government, industry and community housing providers."
Ms Nelmes said a flexible, region-sensitive rollout of the NSW Housing Pattern Book will be vital to lift supply in local town centres and close to jobs.
"We need to see mapping alignment between the low and mid-rise (LMR) housing policy, the Hunter Regional Plan 2041 growth centres, and local housing targets. It's important that major regional centres like Toronto, Broadmeadow and Jesmond can access the benefits the reforms offer.
"The Pattern Book can speed up well-designed LMR housing, but it must work with local conditions in the Hunter and Central Coast." she said.
Ms Nelmes also welcomed a stronger regional lens for future rounds of national programs, including the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF).
"National finance should back projects where need and feasibility align. A bigger regional focus in Round 3 would be a smart move – helping get more keys in doors in places like the Hunter and Central Coast without slowing city projects," Ms Nelmes said.
Ms Nelmes said the private sector brings delivery capacity, capital and innovation that complement government and community housing leadership.
"With the right planning settings and enabling infrastructure, the Hunter and Central Coast can contribute a significant share of NSW's housing targets. The prize is more choice for local families and stronger, more resilient regional economies," she said.
