THE Port Stephens Housing Strategy Annual Report 2024/2025 is now available to be viewed by the community.
Mayor Leah Anderson said the report is a “great way to show the community insights on where Council is at in meeting our housing strategy targets”.
The Annual Report has been developed and published as an action of the Local Housing Strategy.
Since the adoption of the Strategy in June, Council has completed or started 50 percent of the listed actions.
Council has approved over 660 Development Applications (DA), above the 550 house target for the past 12 months.
Port Stephens is also the fastest council in the Hunter for approving applications, with an average of 49 days.
“Approvals in the past year for higher-density housing, such as dual-occupancy homes on one lot, have doubled,” Mayor Anderson said.
While exceeding the DA approval target, the number of completed dwellings, recorded through Occupation Certificates, is below the target.
“The report has also highlighted areas we need to keep working on. It shows a big variance between DA approvals and completed builds,” Mayor Anderson said.
“We know this trend is occurring nationally, impacted by factors out of Council’s control, such as tighter lending conditions, high interest rates, rising construction materials and labour costs, and industry shortages.
“We’re proactively responding to challenges as they arise, including the potential risk of a future shortfall in housing completions, and other challenges impacting future targets.”
Mayor Anderson says housing and the lack of affordable and diverse options remains one of the biggest challenges facing the region.
“We remain committed to easing the housing challenges our community is facing and delivering options to meet the future needs of our community,” Mayor Anderson said.
Council has advocated to the State Government for changes to planning legislation that will make it simpler to develop more affordable homes in areas like Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace.
“We’re getting ahead now for what could impact our long-term targets for housing.
“We’re undertaking investigations and rezoning of additional residential land and taking further actions to facilitate infill housing in existing centres,” Mayor Anderson added.
To read more about the Port Stephens Local Housing Strategy, visit pscouncil.info/housing-strategy
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