Big changes to address local housing shortage in Hay, NSW

By Tertia Butcher

The minimum lot size is to be removed in Hay township (both North and South Hay) and some primary production land will be rezoned to low density residential in a bid by Council to address the housing shortage.

“This is the easiest and most cost-effective way,” General Manager, David Webb said.

Council recently received funding under the regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund to undertake a planning proposal to change the Hay Local Environment Plan (LEP) which governs the land uses and zoning of properties.

The funding covers the removal of minimum lot sizes in existing urban areas of Hay and the expansion of the urban area to the east of the town.

Currently the minimum lot size for Hay urban area is 550m2.

Council said this prevents densifying the urban area which is the most economically and environmentally sustainable form of urban development.

“Removing the minimum lot size will facilitate the development of smaller houses on smaller lots which can have a positive impact on the housing crises,” the Executive Manager Planning and Compliance noted in his report to Council’s May meeting.

Council resolved in September last year not to rezone an area in East Hay as the owners were not interested.

However, this has changed, and after consultation with Council, the owners of land in Bourke Street and Cemetery Road now wish to have it rezoned.