Paul Scully

Minister for Planning and Public Places

Rose Jackson

Minister for Water, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness

Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Youth, Minister for the North Coast 

David Harris MP

Member for Wyong

Yasmin Catley MP

Member for Swansea

David Mehan MP

Member for The Entrance

Liesl Tesch MP

Member for Gosford

A fairer housing system for NSW

The NSW Government has released a discussion paper and is seeking community input which will inform a comprehensive review of Short-Term rental Accommodation (STRA) on the Central Coast.

This is an important next step as the NSW Government continues to look at ways to address the housing crisis in NSW. 

Led by the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson, the four-week public consultation opened with the release of a discussion paper and an online questionnaire. 

Through this review the NSW Government will work with all stakeholders to ensure outcomes contribute meaningfully to increasing housing affordability, and stability on the Central Coast.

Specific feedback which will be sort and considered throughout this process includes:

• The adequacy of the STRA planning and regulatory framework, and options for improvement.
• Potential policy options, including measures to incentivise property investors to make properties available for long-term rental accommodation. 

In NSW, housing affordability and availability are at their lowest levels in decades.

Even though NSW has the largest population, it is last on the east coast when it comes to housing completion.

Building approvals and construction activity have slowed while build costs have skyrocketed. 

Rental vacancies are low and there are more than 55,000 people on the waitlist for social housing. 

Last week alone, two independent reports highlighted the magnitude of the housing crisis facing Australia’s most populous state. 

Whilst an analysis by Homelessness NSW showed that homelessness has risen across 58 of the state’s 128 local government areas in the past year alone. 

The NSW Government is taking action to strike the right balance between supporting our local communities, supporting the visitor economy and jobs, whilst addressing the homelessness, housing and rental crisis. 

Whilst the review and potential reform of STRA alone is not a silver bullet, it is an important step towards fixing existing structural issues in the housing market. 

All options are on the table in this review and the NSW Government looks forward to seeing extensive feedback from industry as well as the community.

Visit the website https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/discussion-paper-short-and-long-term-rental-accommodation for more information and to have your say. 

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: 

“We’re hoping to better balance housing availability for the people of NSW with the benefits that tourism brings to local communities. 

“We’re in a housing crisis, so it’s important we look at every available option to boost housing supply, including a shift from non-hosted short-term rentals to long term rental. 

“We’ve already endorsed the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) recommendation to tighten the cap on some non-hosted short-term rentals in Byron Shire, and other recommendations made by the IPC will be considered as part of this broader STRA review.” 

Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said: 

“We’re determined to do everything we can to tackle the housing crisis and put every part of the housing market under the microscope for options to encourage a greater supply of long-term rental accommodation. 

“All options are on the table and we are keen to hear from the community on how various aspects of regulatory and revenue measures can be designed to get the best outcome.” 

“This review will inform our approach to make better use of all forms of housing, including short term rentals, vacant property and holiday homes. 

“This includes looking at ways to move some of this housing to the long-term rental market and to minimise its negative impacts on the housing market as well as what we can do to support homelessness services across NSW.” 

Member for Wyong, David Harris said:

“The housing crisis is also affecting people in the Wyong electorate, long waiting lists are leaving individuals and families in difficult situations. It is important to hear our communities concerns to tackle this issue,”

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:

“Swansea locals consistently raise with me the challenges in securing an affordable long-term rental property and the impact short-term rentals are having on the market.”

“The Government is committed to addressing the housing crisis in NSW, delivering more supply and ensuring we have an equitable rental market.”

“I encourage all Coasties to take part in the consultation process.”

Member for Woy Woy, Liesl Tesch said:

“The NSW Government is committed to addressing housing supply, having already begun the implementation of once in a generation planning reforms, with a focus on increasing the supply of homes in NSW.

“With rental vacancies at an all-time low on the Central Coast, a review of short-term rental accommodation is an important element of these once in a generation reforms. I encourage everyone in our community to have their say.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said:

“This is a crucial milestone in our commitment to addressing the housing crisis.” 

“Our focus is on finding a balanced solution that supports local communities, the visitor economy, and jobs, while also addressing the homelessness, housing, and rental crisis."

"This is an opportunity for our community to actively participate in the decision-making process. I encourage everyone to engage with the discussion paper, share your insights, and contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive housing future for all."