“ Successive State Labor Ministers have failed to plan for Sydney ’s expansion, physically and socially. Labor has no new vision for NSW, no new land release and no solutions,” he said.

“Currently there are 18,000 fewer homes expected to be built in NSW this year than are needed, resulting in immense pressure being placed on NSW working families by tightening rental markets and a lack of affordable housing.

HIA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Lamont said yesterday,

“Supply must increase rapidly to meet expected demand, particularly in Australia ’s capital cities. Without a substantial increase in production there will almost certainly be a growth in the number of homeless and further affordability woes”(HIA media release 30 June 2008 )

“Further weakening NSW home lending figures are the onerous taxes and charges imposed by NSW Labor which are forcing prospective home buyers to borrow more to pay for that new home”, said Chris Hartcher. 

“It is a telling sign of the incompetence of the Iemma Labor Government when other States face the same interest rate rises that NSW faces and yet they still manage to stay ahead of NSW on all the major housing indicators.

“If the housing crisis in NSW is not resolved, NSW will face an even greater number of residents fleeing to other States above the 27,000 that already fled in 2006/07 after losing faith in the Iemma Governments ability to deal with this crisis.

“It is time for the dithering Premier Morris Iemma to step in and make a concerted effort to boost NSW housing affordability, “Mr Hartcher said.