Two-thirds of Sydney’s councils are projected to miss their target for the construction of new homes over the next five years, which is expected to put further pressure on the affordability crisis.
Parramatta Labor mayor Donna Davis said western Sydney was “doing the heavy lifting” when it comes to accommodating Sydney’s growing population.Grattan Institute economic policy program director Brendan Coates said Australia would become a less equal society if it does not build enough homes. “Western Sydney is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to accommodating Sydney’s growing population – including the City of Parramatta – but the load needs to be shared across all local government areas,” she said.
Parker accused developers of “bashing on councils” and said demands for the removal of planning powers were “nothing less than a shameless power grab by a vested interest group”.