Saffin hosts Landcom CEO John Brogden in region
IN A WELCOME development, Lismore MP Janelle Saffin tomorrow (Friday, 17 December) will host Landcom CEO John Brogden during a visit to her electorate to explore potential housing projects in high-growth areas of the Northern Rivers region.
Ms Saffin sought to have Landcom take an interest in our region earlier this year and a July visit had to be postponed due to COVID restrictions.
Given the role of Landcom, Ms Saffin’s also recommended to the Chair of the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Taskforce, Mr Garry Fielding that Landcom extend its scope to regional and rural New South Wales.
Ms Saffin said Mr Brogden accepted her invitation to see firsthand the housing affordability crisis being experienced in the region and be briefed on possible solutions.
“While Landcom isn’t a panacea for the housing affordability issues in the area, it’s important to start the discussion now to help address it,” Ms Saffin said.
“I also welcome the involvement of my Parliamentary colleague, State Member for Tweed Geoff Provest, because we have been working together, with Tweed Shire Council, on housing supply and affordability.
“This is an opportunity for Tweed Shire, Byron Shire and Lismore City councils to flesh out the detail of discussions they have been having with Landcom, and the start of more conversations between Landcom’s team and stakeholders in our wider region.”
Landcom is the NSW Government’s land and property development organisation, whose mission is to create more affordable and sustainable communities by improving the supply, diversity and affordability of new housing.
“I was pleased that Mr Fielding, a Newcastle-based independent planning expert, picked up some of my suggestions for reform and that these ideas had remain in his October 2021 Recommendations Report to NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes,” Ms Saffin said.
“So I’m glad there is a Taskforce recommendation to establish an ongoing program to deliver new and renewed social and affordable rental housing in the regions through partnership between government housing providers such as Land and Housing Corporation and Landcom, local government, and the community housing sector.
“Tomorrow’s roundtable and several site visits in Lismore are the first steps in developing this regional focus, and I’m confident it will lead to positive outcomes in the future.”
Ms Saffin has been at the forefront of the housing supply and affordability discussion, holding two Housing and Homelessness Action Forums, one in 2019 and another in May this year.
Ms Saffin’s Housing Ends Homelessness Report and Advocacy Paper was her response to the NSW Government’s Housing Strategy for NSW Discussion Paper.
She continues to advocate in and outside Parliament for State and Federal governments to take stronger roles in the provision of housing supply and actions regarding housing affordability.
Thursday, 16 December 2021.
