The Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Program represents a transformative approach to urban planning in NSW, offering significant opportunities to address housing affordability while enhancing connectivity and sustainability. At Pacific Link Housing, we are excited about the potential of this program to deliver critical housing supply, particularly in the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle regions.
What is the Transport Oriented Development Program?
Transport Oriented Development (TOD) is a planning approach that encourages sustainable and mixed-use development around transport hubs. The goal is to create vibrant, walkable communities that integrate housing, jobs and amenities, reducing urban sprawl and fostering connectivity.
There are two parts to the TOD Program:
- Part 1: Accelerated Precincts Program
This part focuses on eight accelerated precincts, where land within 1,200 metres of key rail and metro stations will be rezoned by the NSW Government. These rezonings aim to create infrastructure and capacity for nearly 60,000 new homes over 15 years, with a focus on delivering new affordable and diverse housing. - Part 2: State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP)
This component introduces new planning controls through a State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) for precincts located within 400 metres of 31 transport hubs. These controls will deliver more affordable, well-designed and well-located homes close to jobs and amenities, creating capacity for 138,000 new homes over 15 years. Of these 37 locations, 13 are situated in the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle regions.
Learn more about TOD planning from the NSW Government.
What Does TOD Mean for the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Regions?
The TOD Program offers transformative opportunities for the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle regions by encouraging higher-density developments near rail and transport hubs. These developments will significantly increase housing capacity and contribute to affordable housing targets while fostering vibrant and sustainable urban centres.
The identified TOD stations in these regions include:
- Adamstown Station
- Booragul Station
- Cardiff Station
- Cockle Creek Station
- Gosford Station
- Hamilton Station
- Kotara Station
- Morisset Station
- Newcastle Interchange
- Teralba Station
- Tuggerah Station
- Woy Woy Station
- Wyong Station
The program aims to deliver well-connected communities, reduce urban sprawl and enhance liveability. By placing homes near transport, jobs and amenities, the TOD Program will help alleviate housing pressures and promote economic growth in these regions. Additionally, a mandate of 2% affordable housing ensures that these developments cater to the diverse housing needs of communities.
The Case for Clarity
In our State of Affordable Housing on the Central Coast 2024 report, Pacific Link Housing highlighted the need for the state government to provide greater clarity around TOD program implementation. Specifically, consistency in affordable housing requirements is essential to ensure these developments genuinely address housing need for the community. Explore the State of Affordable Housing Report.
Partnering for Progress
As a Tier One Community Housing Provider accredited by the National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH), Pacific Link Housing is uniquely positioned to partner with build-to-rent developers, investors and stakeholders to deliver affordable housing within TOD developments. With extensive experience in both developing and managing mixed-tenancy properties, we are ready to play a pivotal role in shaping these communities.
Operating under Pacific Link Housing’s strict governance and compliance standards, our two social enterprises further extend our capabilities and provide developers with comprehensive, end-to-end solutions to meet their property management and community objectives.
- Key2 Realty, a Tier Three Community Housing Provider and licensed Real Estate Agency provides tailored property management solutions, including affordable housing services in compliance with NSW Affordable Housing Ministerial Guidelines.
- Renew Projects, our property maintenance social enterprise further enhances our end-to-end property management offering by ensuring high-quality maintenance services for all types of housing.