The NSW Productivity Commission has warned in a new housing paper that Sydney is losing some 7,000 people aged 30 to 40 a year. “Sydney is at risk of becoming a city with no grandchildren if we don’t meaningfully address the housing crisis”. The paper found that between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained. 35,000 came to Sydney, but 70,000 left. It also found that while Sydney has among the highest average wages in Australia, over recent years it has consistently lost population to other states and regional NSW. Approximately two out of every three departures are from the working-age population – that is, those aged between 25 and 64, it’s not only ‘grey nomads’ who leave Sydney.

Solve Property Group was asked to consider on the back of this housing paper, is there a disparity in dwelling sizes and household demographics? Here is a snapshot of our insights.

Housing Australia have now opened round one funding under the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF). These Federal Government initiatives are focussed on improving housing outcomes for Australians and will collectively support the delivery of 20,000 new social and 20,000 new affordable homes across Australia over five years. The HAFF is a $10 billion investment fund, the income from which will provide disbursements used to deliver the Federal Government's housing commitment. The Application period for round one funding is from 15 January 2024 until 2:00pm (AEDT) on 22 March 2024.

Tweed Shire Council have released a Draft Options Paper, Growth Management and Housing Strategy. It acknowledges that the Tweed is the fastest growing LGA in NSW with an additional 31,182 persons projected in the next 20 years, reaching 128,333 persons by 2041. The Tweed is in a housing crisis, experiencing, as much of Australia is, housing not meeting community needs.

Sydney is on the path to become an exemplar global city, not because of any prowess around the planning system, but the potential that has been presented by one of the most significant infrastructure programs shaping future investment of any capital city in Australia over the last 10 years. As the past and first Chief Planner for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment this might be considered a surprise statement.

The Queensland State Government recently released their Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2023 Update for public consultation, signalling that South East Queensland’s recent strong growth is expected to continue over the coming decades.