What's the strategy about?

The draft Tamworth Regional Housing Strategy outlines Council’s vision for future housing development in the Tamworth Region. The strategy sets a framework for housing to be delivered to meet the needs of the community now and in the future. The strategy is not just focused on increasing housing supply but also promoting diverse and creative housing solutions.

The strategy supports well-managed growth which includes:

• Increased densities and affordable housing choices in new land release areas and existing areas;
• Shop-top and apartment living in key precincts such as the Tamworth CBD and Bridge Street, West Tamworth;
• A wide selection of lifestyle blocks in suitable locations;
• Housing opportunities of the region’s towns and rural centres; and,
• Recognition of unique localities for their heritage and neighbourhood character.

The draft housing strategy makes a number of recommendations from which actions are developed and proposed.

The strategy acknowledges how difficulties faced by many people regarding housing and accommodation cannot be fixed simply, and the strategy in itself will not resolve the issues in short term. However, the actions in the strategy, when acted on along with other levels of government and stakeholders, may well trigger positive change to address the housing needs of those under housing stress both now and in the future in the Tamworth Region.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the public exhibition.

Through extensive community consultation and an online survey in November and December 2023 about housing needs in the Tamworth Regional Local Government Area, Council received more than more than 350 contributions.

The findings of the community survey and consultation with real estate agents reinforced the sentiments expressed in the other workshops, forums and meetings.

Community insights Broad agreement

1. about the need to address housing affordability
2. Strong consensus on the need for more housing development in the region.
3. More than 50% of respondents consider the density and character of neighbourhoods to be “central considerations”
4. The issue of water security was frequently raised.
5. Social and community housing should be distributed across the city and region.

Real estate industry insights

1. People are looking for affordable housing options in the Tamworth region.
2. The rural centres (Manilla, Nundle and Barraba) have continual interest.
3. There is demand for quality inner city living, but parking issues need to be addressed.
4. Price issues tend to drive people’s preparedness to be flexible with the type of housing they will buy.
5. Demand for conventional residential lots continues to be in the Tamworth city area, while rural towns and villages will have many vacant lots.
6. Social housing needs to be carefully considered.
7. Different housing types (e.g. medium density, shop-top housing) are something to consider in the Tamworth city area.
8. Minimum lot sizes should be reduced in Tamworth.
9. Council needs to facilitate more supply of rural residential land.
10. A more streamlined approvals process is required for housing development – faster turnaround of DAs.