Paul Nicolaou | Executive Director, Business Sydney | Mob: 0419 400 038
Business Sydney today applauded NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane’s pledge to close the outdated Long Bay Correctional precinct to enable the addition of 12,000 new homes close to the city.
Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said the commitment was the right choice at a time when affordable housing options, particularly for essential workers, were desperately needed.
Mr Nicolaou said the Long Bay precinct was well and truly past its use-by date and these correctional facilities were better located in a regional area where the resulting jobs and local economic boost would be welcomed.
“Business Sydney recently released a special paper which examined the housing supply benefits of extending the existing light rail network from Kingsford to La Perouse,” Mr Nicolaou said.
“The 8.5km extension combined with the closure of the Long Bay precinct could add more than 50,000 homes to Sydney’s housing supply needs.
“According to Kellie Sloane’s estimate, the closure of the Long Bay precinct could alone add 12,000 homes.
“It is a smart idea to address the housing crisis as well as an investment in a purpose built relocated correctional facility.”
In her budget-in-reply speech, Kellie Sloane said housing affordability remained one of the biggest challenges for the state.
She said: “That is why we remain committed to closing the Long Bay Correctional Complex and relocating prison capacity to regional NSW, saving Goulburn jail from closure and freeing up one of the largest urban renewal opportunities in the country for 12,000 new homes close to the city.”
Mr Nicolaou said Business Sydney would like to see a similar commitment from the Minns Government and the Opposition to the redevelopment of Parramatta Road.
“We know from a previous study that a redeveloped Parramatta Road from the CBD to Parramatta could alone deliver up to 35,000 new homes,” Mr Nicolaou said.
“Similarly, Victoria Road and the Great Western Highway offer great potential for increased housing supply.”
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