Housing without infrastructure first costs the economy, NSW official warns
Departing NSW Commissioner Peter Achterstraat warns that housing and infrastructure must be planned together.
Peter Achterstraat left his job as NSW Productivity and Equality Commissioner last week after holding the role for eight years, warning that the state's housing plan must include early infrastructure planning.
Adding infrastructure after homes are built costs much more than planning both at once. A 2023 report found fringe development costs up to $75,000 more per home than inner-city building.
Sydney needs 800,000 new homes over two decades. The Minns government is pushing high-density housing around train and metro stations.
Achterstraat argues infrastructure should be planned alongside homes, not added later, to avoid community frustration. The government says it will focus on density where infrastructure already exists.
- 800,000 over 20 years
- New homes Sydney needs
- $75,000 per home
- Fringe development cost premium
- 8 years
- Achterstraat's tenure
- transport corridors
- Key infrastructure gap
Why it mattersNew housing brings quality of life or frustration. This depends on whether infrastructure is planned alongside homes, not added later.
AustraliaNSW residents in areas being rezoned for high-density housing need confidence that schools, roads and services will keep pace with new homes.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
