Regional Australia will receive its fair share of a $5 billion home building plan.
Leader David Littleproud announced a future Nationals Government would set an ambitious target of 30 per cent of the Housing Infrastructure Programme for investing in the regions, benefiting areas such as the Central West.
"Under Labor, Australia is facing a housing crisis and the great Australian dream of owning a home has never felt further out of reach," Mr Littleproud said.
"One of the major impediments to new housing projects is the lack of funding for critical-enabling infrastructure. We will invest in shovel-ready infrastructure through our new Housing Infrastructure Programme."
Mr Littleproud said the $5 billion investment would unlock up to 500,000 homes across Australia.
The Nationals in government will also free up more than 100,000 homes by:
- Reducing migration numbers, compared with Labor which has brought in more than one million migrants in their first two years in office.
- Putting a two-year ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing homes.
- Working with the building and construction industry and bringing in people on skilled visas to support local tradies.
- Tackling union corruption that has contributed to driving up the costs of building by 30 per cent.
- Freezing further changes to the National Construction Code to ease red tape and compliance burdens for builders.
Nationals' candidate for Calare, Sam Farraway, said there are greenfield sites across the country ready for development and, if elected, he would work with council to speed up projects in the Central West.
"This policy is a game-changer for young people in the Central West who are struggling to break into the housing market," Mr Farraway said.
"Funding will enable infrastructure such as water, power, sewerage and access roads and on a time-limited basis to give councils the incentive they need."
Cabonne Council Mayor, Kevin Beatty, said regional councils and towns like Molong are keen to be part of the solution.
"The proposed development in East Molong would see up to 650 lots developed, essentially doubling the current population," Cr Beatty said.
"The Cabonne LGA alone is projected to increase by 14 per cent to 15,657 by 2041, with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment predicting that the Central West region needs at least an additional 21,665 new homes to support forecast growth.
"Not only will this development support the provision of homes for new residents to the town, but it will also help to support opportunities for members of the community impacted by the 2022 November floods to potentially relocate to flood resilient land."
"We have both the land and local amenities to support the delivery of well-located and more affordable housing for families and key workers," Cr Beatty said.
"Funding to help regional Councils such as Cabonne to invest in critical enabling infrastructure - like water and sewer upgrades for Molong - is vital in supporting housing growth."
