Farmers and town planners in New South Wales are advocating for changes to planning laws that would allow more homes to be built on rural land. This initiative aims to address the ongoing housing crisis in the region. A parliamentary committee is currently examining potential reforms to make it easier for landowners to construct secondary dwellings on their properties.

Currently, there are no consistent regulations governing the development of secondary dwellings in regional areas, leading to varying policies among local councils. The committee is expected to present its findings on these planning reforms in February of next year. During a public hearing in Sydney, Troy Myers, a town planner from Hawkesbury, highlighted the significant demand for additional housing options. "There wouldn't be a week go by where someone walks in my front door asking, 'Can we put another house on the property for little Johnny, or mum and dad, they're not well and we need to look after them.' It happens all the time," he stated.

Committee chair John Ruddick emphasized that allowing secondary dwellings could foster community connections and alleviate pressure on public services. He noted, "Rising property prices and rents push young families away from their communities, separating generations. Encouraging families to live closer – especially near elderly parents – would decrease demand on aged care and child care."

Data from PropTrack indicates that the median value of homes in regional NSW has reached $749,000, reflecting a 0.7 percent increase from September and nearly a 6 percent rise compared to the previous year. Additionally, rental markets in regional areas remain tight, with vacancy rates reported at 0.8 percent on the North Coast, 1 percent in the Riverina, and 1.2 percent on the Central Tablelands as of September.

The NSW Farmers Association supports the proposed changes, arguing that they would benefit not only multi-generational living but also agricultural productivity. Rebecca Reardon, the association's vice-president based in Moree, told the committee that the lack of adequate housing in rural communities hampers the ability to attract essential workers. "If we do not have accommodation, very simply put, we cannot get workers," she explained. "So we will not be drinking milk, we will not be eating a lot of our fruit or veg unless we do have this on-farm accommodation."

Reardon also pointed out the safety concerns associated with long commutes for farm workers. "If you live an hour west of town and you're expecting your employee to drive out there, often at night, if you're harvesting, or if you're a dairy and milking three times a day, it is just dangerous. They need to live on-farm," she said.

However, the discussion also includes considerations for renters' rights. Leo Patterson Ross, chief executive of the Tenants' Union of NSW, stressed the importance of addressing the dynamics of renting to non-family members. "Family units are generally well-placed to resolve issues around shared areas and the way the property is managed," he noted. "Once you start dealing with people outside your family unit, there needs to be more thought given to that legal relationship and the services being provided."

Concerns have also been raised by the Better Planning Network, a volunteer organization, regarding the potential fragmentation of farmland and the emergence of new homes outside designated residential zones. Deputy chair Christiane expressed worries that overdevelopment in rural areas could lead to an imbalance in housing distribution, complicating future planning efforts.