A Response to the Housing Now! Conference

Professional Associations

Last week, I was fortunate to attend the Housing Now! Conference, held at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta. The Minns Government and Opposition came together to discuss new plans to implement more housing across Sydney and broader NSW. There were twelve precincts identified for where new homes could be unlocked, including Parramatta, Camellia, Sydney Olympic Park, Five Dock, Glebe Island and Rozelle Bay, Moore Point, Paddington (Victoria Barracks), Orchard Hills, Leppington and other areas in North- and South-Western Sydney and regional NSW.

Aerial image of Manly, NSW, Australia. — Fig 1. Manly, NSW. (Photograph by Mark Merton. In Manly Aerial Photography. By Mark Merton Photography. Sydney: Sydney Images, 2020, 441.)

There was also discussion of nine potential reforms to our current Planning and Infrastructure policies in NSW. These reforms include rezoning places of worship, allowing for more subdivision of dual occupancies, legalising modular housing and allowing second homes on rural land, in addition to the policies already in place to increase affordable housing. These changes would work alongside existing policies such as the Housing Delivery Authority, Transport-Oriented-Development and State Significant Developments.

In light of the current housing crisis, I am of the opinion that we do need more homes. Homes that are affordable, well-designed and are of good quality.

However, it is important that these reforms can also co-exist with our heritage buildings. With the plans for the Parramatta precinct for example, the NSW Government has encouraged the integration, retention and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings alongside new development. This approach includes development in proximity to some of the Victorian-era cottages, Elizabeth Farm and the Parramatta North Precinct. If a similar approach could be taken with the other elected precincts, NSW could see a larger increase in both new and re-used housing, which would assist the Government with meeting current demand. This blend of past and present would also keep our most significant heritage buildings intact and hopefully encourage more development in popular, sought-for areas.

Group of people sitting together at round tables at a function, which are all facing the stage and screens projected on either side of the stage. — Fig 2. Housing Now! Conference in Parramatta, NSW. (Photograph by Paul Rappoport, Heritage 21, 2025.)

I was glad to have had the opportunity to take part in the conference and hear how the NSW Government aims to solve this housing crisis and heritage crisis together. Having heritage and housing collaborate would provide a better outcome for achieving our housing targets instead of weaponising heritage against it.

Paul Rappoport

Conservation Architect and Heritage Planner

9 October 2025

Image Reference:

Merton, Mark. “Manly, NSW,” Sydney Images, July 23, 2020. https://www.sydneyimages.com.au/media/5dce75c8-59f8-11e2-94a4-6d398f965168-manly-nsw