Tradies could benefit from NSW rezoning scheme

Those in the building industry have welcomed the NSW government's plan to consider rezoning nominated areas for housing.

A list of 43 landowner-nominated sites totalling more than 12,000 hectares has been published by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, which are set to be reviewed by a committee of government department heads.

Chief executive of the Urban Development Institute of Australia Stephen Albin told the Sydney Morning Herald that the new scheme would act as a stimulus
for the industry - as well as address the lack of available housing.

''Rather than drafting wish-lists and plans that are not necessarily achievable, they have
gone straight to developers and the landowners have responded in droves,'' he told thepublication yesterday (January 30).

State planning minister Brad Hazzard spoke to ABC radio yesterday, stating that he welcomed involvement from across the sector.

"It's critical that those on the ground have input, whether it's the right mix of housing and jobs
is always an issue and those on the ground know that better than anyone else," he said.

It is expected that more than 100,000 homes could be built through the rezoning scheme.