LEP CHANGE TO UNLOCK HOUSING DOORS

A change to Wagga City Council’s Local Environment Plan (LEP) could open the way to an innovative housing idea aimed at giving first home buyers an easier start on the housing ladder. 

The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has welcomed last night’s council decision to commence a change to the LEP, saying it will help to enable the delivery of Entry Point Housing across the city. 

Entry Point Housing, proposed by the council and supported in parliament by Dr McGirr, aims to help people enter the housing market by building cost-efficient homes that can be developed for about $425,000 through greater flexibility in development requirements, cost-saving design and streamlined regulatory processes.  

Dr McGirr said he was proud to support the proposal and congratulated the council and government for working together on the idea. 

“When the council’s general manager came to me with this idea in 2024, I saw it as an exciting proposal that could open new opportunities for people to build homes of their own,” he said. 

“I was delighted to be able to organise two meetings between council leaders and the Premier in Sydney and to host a housing round table attended by Housing Minister Rose Jackson in Parliament in July 2024. 

“Through cutting red tape and increasing cost efficiencies, Entry Point Housing could be a key that unlocks barriers to home ownership for people looking to get their first start.” 

If the proposal proceeds, Wagga will lead a pilot program for the private sector to build cost-effective homes with the support of industry partners. 

The idea is that the housing is open to anyone who does not own a home – first home buyers and older people who do not have a home currently. People are also required to live in the home.

There are no income tests or eligibility requirements aside from not owning a home. The home can be sold to release equity built up. For a period of 10 years, it can only be sold to others who do not own a home. 

The next step for the council is to obtain a gateway determination for the proposal. 

Dr McGirr congratulated the council and the NSW government and Planning Department for their work on the idea. 

“Solving the housing crisis will require a suite of actions, not least the construction of more social and affordable housing, but by amending this LEP, council has opened a door that could get local people into homes of their own more efficiently and cheaply.” he said. 

“Innovative ideas such Entry Point Housing are a welcome step that I hope will make the dream of home ownership a reality for first-time owner-occupiers and I look forward to maintaining my support for this excellent proposal.”