Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)- When the Minns Labor Government came to office two years ago, we faced a number of mounting crises. For many in my electorate of Charlestown and for countless more all around the State, perhaps the most pressing of those was the housing crisis. In the face of economic headwinds and with the State's finances left in a perilous position, this Government was faced with the task of fixing a broken housing system and addressing one of the largest contributors to the cost-of-living crisis. We had to address 12 years of neglect and disinterest by the previous Government. We had to make housing in this State more accessible and affordable and we had to deliver on the understanding that everyone deserves a safe and secure home.
It is by any measure a tall order and there is no doubt that we have a lot of work left to do. But I am pleased to report to the House that in my electorate of Charlestown and around the State green shoots of new growth are starting to appear. I have spoken before about the steps the Government is taking to address the housing crisis in the Charlestown electorate. The Transport Oriented Development program will allow for higher density housing to be built around Cardiff, Kotara and Adamstown train stations, where residents will have access not just to shops and services but also to public transport. With the formation of Homes NSW, we are working to streamline the delivery of maintenance and support to tenants of public housing properties while also helping tenants to secure the right kinds of properties for their needs. We have streamlined and clarified legislation and regulation to assist renters to navigate a system that was often too difficult or overwhelming to properly engage with, balancing their needs with the needs of landlords.
We have made strata living a more attractive option by clarifying the rules and strengthening the rights and responsibilities of strata residents, owners' corporations and strata managers. We are also getting on with the job of actually building houses. In my electorate of Charlestown, Landcom has commenced work on a 38.8-hectare parcel of land along Myall Road in Garden Suburb. The development will deliver more than 100 dwellings, including 66 freestanding homes. In partnership with a community housing organisation, a minimum 30 per cent of those new homes will be set aside for affordable housing.
The development includes upgrades to Myall Road, which will mean safer access for both newer and long‑term residents, shared footpaths allowing residents to walk or cycle to nearby destinations like Cardiff Shopping Centre and access to sporting fields. Importantly, the development will deliver a diverse range of housing options. Some locals have expressed reservations about the development, and I can certainly understand where they are coming from. There are reasonable concerns about the preservation of native bushland and wildlife habitat. As the New South Wales Government's developer, Landcom has a responsibility to be an industry leader in responsible development. It should be delivering works at the very highest standard. How can we expect an industry to follow the standards set by the Government if the Government does not follow them?
I have spent considerable time examining this development in detail because of the community's concerns. Of the 38.8 hectares of land, 70 per cent has been set aside as a biodiversity stewardship site to be protected in perpetuity. A range of measures have been outlined to minimise impacts on wildlife: Traps will be used to keep domestic cats out of the bushland; pest species monitoring will help guard against invasions by feral animals; native fauna monitoring will ensure that numbers remain stable, preserving the health of the ecosystem; and nest boxes in a range of shapes and sizes, to cater for different species, will be placed throughout the zone so that native species can remain in the area.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will monitor the health of bushland in the stewardship site. Landcom has paid $2.48 million to the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, which will fund the rehabilitation and ongoing maintenance of the bushland. I understand why there is a level of distrust in development, but the simple fact of the matter is that we need new housing. We need more housing. This development is necessary, and it is being managed in the most conscientious way possible. The community rightly expects the Government to use all the levers it can to overcome the housing crisis while carefully balancing the needs of the environment for current and future generations. I do not shy away from saying that this is difficult work. But it is also necessary work, which this Government is committed to doing.
