Completions Fall, More New Projects In NSW During First Year Of Housing Accord

42,581 homes were completed across New South Wales in the year to June, down from 46,865 in the year prior, newly-released figures reveal. However, more ground was broken, with construction commencing on 46,706 homes in the period, an increase of around 6,000.

Victoria, by comparison, completed 55,765 homes in the period, with an additional 55,627 underway.

Under the accord, New South Wales has a target of building 377,000 homes by 2029. This is more than any other state, 30 percent of the total. 75,337 dwellings are under construction, more than anywhere else in Australia.

A substantial uplift in housing delivery will be necessary to meet the objective of the Accord.

Planning minister hails “nation-leading” reforms

Planning minister Paul Scully told the City Hub that housing construction, approvals and commencements “collapsed under the former Liberal–National Government with the forecast for housing growth falling to just 36,000 homes a year by the end of their term.”

“This failure continues to be reflected in the recent completion data and what helped make Sydney the second most expensive city in the world for housing.”

Scully said the Minns Government’s “nation-leading” reforms “are cutting council assessment times and growing home building commencements.”

He specifically attributed the Housing Delivery Authority, the Transport Oriented Development Program, the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy and the Infill Affordable Housing Scheme, which he said have been “working together” to deliver more homes.

“New South Wales building approvals have trended up 28 percent over the 12 months to August 2025.”

“Council assessment times are improving with average assessment days for all local development applications falling to 79 days for September 2025 from 116 days in March 2023.”

The minister said that there is “more to be done,” hailing the “landmark” proposed changes to the Planning Act which are presently before the Legislative Council.

Local opponents to housing plans caution premier

Not all are satisfied with the state of the relationship between the state government and local councils. The Better Future Coalition is composed of community groups in the Inner West.

“The Minns Government doesn’t need to roll over the Inner West Council,” it told this masthead. “He doesn’t even need to start the motor for the steam roller – the Inner West Council is laying down the bitumen itself.” The group is taking aim at the Fairer Future Plan, passed by Inner West councillors 8–7, with only the dominant Labor bloc endorsing it.

“The Councillors who voted against reflected the enormous opposition to the plan in the community, which had been asked to support more nuanced planning to achieve the 7,800 new dwelling target from Transport Oriented Development.”

“We’re already seeing the displacement of vulnerable residents from low income housing, who were informed by QR code that they face eviction when their building is demolished to build 43 new apartments.”

“This will be an unfolding tragedy in the Inner West as developers pick off the low hanging fruit first.”

The coalition has a message for the premier.

“There are three levels of government in this country, all elected by constituents. Chris Minns should be careful when he flexes the muscle of his government to override councils’ planning powers. It disenfranchises and mocks those who also elect the state government.”

“He might find out what they think of his position when they’re next at the ballot box.”

Figures belie “supply-at-all-costs” approach, says Greens MP

Balmain Greens MP said that the housing construction figures “make it clear that the Labor Government’s supply-at-all-costs approach isn’t working.”

“You can’t fix the housing crisis by simply approving more developments, especially when those developments aren’t affordable, and the infrastructure to support them just isn’t there.” 

“The Minns Government is obsessed with hitting housing targets, but those targets mean nothing if the homes being built are out of reach for ordinary people.” 

Shetty also singled out the Fairer Future Plan as exemplifying “what happens when planning is driven by developers rather than communities.” 

“It ticks the Government’s supply boxes but fails to deliver the public and affordable housing, transport, and green space our communities desperately need.”

“Yes, we need more homes, but we need the right homes, at an affordable price, with the infrastructure to support current and future residents. That means stronger requirements for public and affordable housing, and infrastructure funding that keeps pace with population growth.” 

“The housing crisis won’t be solved by endless rezoning or rubber-stamping private developments. It requires a genuine plan for affordability, sustainability, and community wellbeing – not just a race to hit targets.”