NSW Premier Chris Minns has used the 2026 Bradfield Oration to outline new housing and planning measures aimed at reducing upfront development costs and accelerating local infrastructure spending.
Speaking at the Daily Telegraph’s Future Sydney event on 6 November, Minns said a re-elected Labor government would allow developers to pay local infrastructure contributions later in the construction process rather than before building begins.
The proposal forms part of a broader package focused on housing delivery, planning approvals and the use of infrastructure contributions already held by councils.
Developer Contributions Would Be Deferred
Under the proposed reform, local infrastructure contributions that are currently generally payable at the Construction Certificate stage would instead be deferred until the Occupation Certificate stage.
The government argues the change would reduce upfront financing pressure on residential developments, particularly at a time when construction costs and borrowing costs remain elevated.
Infrastructure contributions would still be payable and would continue to fund local roads, parks, community facilities and other infrastructure associated with new development.
The reform is an election commitment and would require Labor to be returned at the 13 March 2027 NSW election before it could be implemented.
More Than $4.6 Billion Held by Councils
Minns also highlighted more than $4.6 billion in infrastructure contributions currently held by councils across NSW.
As an immediate step, the government says Planning Minister Paul Scully will issue directions allowing councils to access and spend more than $900 million that was collected under contribution plans that have since been repealed.
The government says the objective is to bring forward spending on local roads, parks, open space and community facilities rather than leaving collected contributions sitting in council accounts for extended periods.
A broader review of the framework governing how councils collect and spend local infrastructure contributions is also planned.
Woollahra Housing Remains a Major Focus
Minns also used the address to defend the government’s proposed Edgecliff-Woollahra rezoning and future Woollahra railway station.
The current draft rezoning could enable approximately 9,400 new homes, up to 1,000 jobs and around 3.5 hectares of new and upgraded public open space.
Building heights of up to 34 storeys are proposed around Edgecliff Station and up to 32 storeys near the future Woollahra Station.
Public exhibition of the proposal closed on 30 October 2026, and the Department of Planning is now reviewing submissions before making a recommendation to the Planning Minister.
The proposal is expected to be finalised in 2027.
Woollahra Station Still a Future Project
The NSW Government has committed to delivering a new railway station at Woollahra on the T4 Eastern Suburbs Line.
Initial site investigations began in January 2026, with the government previously stating that the station could provide an approximately eight-minute journey to the Sydney CBD.
However, Woollahra Council has raised concerns about the timing and funding of the station and argues that major housing growth should be accompanied by additional investment in schools, open space, roads and other community infrastructure.
The council has proposed an alternative planning approach accommodating about 3,600 additional dwellings, substantially below the state government’s 9,400-home proposal.
Housing Delivery Remains Below Target
In his Bradfield address, Minns acknowledged that NSW is still not meeting its overall housing targets despite recent increases in approvals and construction activity.
The government has been pursuing higher-density development around transport infrastructure through a series of state-led rezonings, including Edgecliff-Woollahra, Bays West, Burwood North, Westmead and other precincts.
The latest contribution reforms are intended to address the financing side of housing development by reducing the amount developers must pay before construction begins, while also encouraging councils to deploy infrastructure funds more quickly.
If implemented after the 2027 election, the changes would represent a significant shift in when local infrastructure contributions are collected and how accumulated funds are released for projects.
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