A new report is calling for urgent action to overcome housing constraints limiting regional business growth, workforce attraction, and liveability.

The Housing Now! NENW Report features a targeted set of immediate, short-term, and long-term policy reforms to address critical housing availability and affordability challenges across the region.

“This campaign is a call to action,” said Diane Gray, regional director, Business NSW – NENW. “In every town and across every sector, the housing shortage is holding back our potential. This is not just a social issue, it’s a workforce and economic development crisis. If we cannot house our people, we cannot grow our businesses.”

Key areas of advocacy include:

• Planning system reform: Fast-track existing proposals, reduce DA delays, and deploy AI for assessment

• Infrastructure investment: Fund enabling infrastructure in growth corridors and reduce connection costs

• Housing diversity: Allow higher-density, prefabricated, and modular homes in regional centres

• Financial incentives: Reform stamp duty, FBT, and unlock new financing options for modular housing

• Social and affordable housing: Ensure inclusionary zoning and support for community housing providers.

• Workforce housing: Prioritise flexible housing models for temporary and essential workers

• Innovation and technology: Back prefabricated housing and a regional design pattern book

What’s at Stake

Business NSW’s member insights and regional surveys reveal housing as a top barrier to attracting and retaining staff. Planning approvals are taking years instead of months. Infrastructure costs deter development. Essential workers, including teachers, healthcare workers and tradies, can’t find affordable homes close to where they are needed.

With the NENW region on the cusp of significant capital investment and population growth, the need for action has never been more urgent.

“Housing Now! is about practical, short-term steps, asking what we can do now, next and later. It’s a roadmap to have homes built faster and smarter,” Ms Gray said.

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