PIA NSW welcomes the continued investment in the infrastructure and systems that support housing delivery, including water, transport, schools, health infrastructure and planning systems in the 2026/27 NSW Budget. These commitments recognise that housing delivery depends on much more than development approval. It also requires coordinated infrastructure, construction capacity, finance, public space and essential services.
As NSW looks towards the next State election, the focus must shift from individual projects to stronger strategic coordination. Investment will deliver the greatest public value when housing, transport, utilities, schools, open space and employment are planned together, with clear delivery responsibilities across agencies and councils.
The Performance and Wellbeing Statement reinforces why strong strategic coordination matters. Neighbourhood satisfaction is lower in Greater Sydney than across the rest of NSW, while median weekly rents increased from $480 in 2020 to $700 in late 2025. Households with newer mortgages are also more exposed to interest rate rises. Increasing supply alone is not enough. NSW must create affordable, connected and well-designed neighbourhoods where people can access jobs, services, transport and daily needs without adding further pressure to household budgets.
In the lead up to the next election, PIA NSW would like to see continued investment in digital planning tools that improve coordination, evidence and transparency. These tools should support the growing focus on housing delivery by tracking the full pathway from strategic planning, rezoning and approval to construction, completion and occupation. Importantly, reporting should measure more than the total number of homes completed. It should show whether the right housing types are being delivered in the right places, with appropriate affordability, tenure, accessibility and access to infrastructure and services.
The next phase of NSW’s growth agenda should focus on how the State can grow well while becoming more resilient to economic, climate and infrastructure shocks.
That requires long term strategic planning, good urban design, infrastructure delivered in step with growth, and stronger investment in climate adaptation and natural hazard planning.
Done well, these measures can reduce future costs, strengthen liveability and ensure today’s Budget investment creates lasting value for communities across NSW.
Media Contact:
Tessa Faucheur PIA NSW/ACT State Manager | 0432 392 351 | [email protected]