Enabling infrastructure the main constraint to unlocking housing

Published on 02 September 2026

Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee attended NSW Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) General Meeting last Friday where virtually all of the association’s 89 Member Councils called for increased investment by the State and Federal Governments in lead in infrastructure necessary to unlock new housing supply.

Cr Lee said it was a collaborative meeting where both he and Council’s Acting General Manager got to hear from and speak with a broad range of key NSW housing policy makers.

“The CMA General Meeting was informative, and I had the chance to catch up with key decision makers on housing and infrastructure investment and delivery,” he said.

“Both the NSW Housing Minister, the Hon Rose Jackson MLC, as well as the NSW Opposition Leader, Kellie Sloane MP, attended and they both spoke about the need to upgrade public housing facilities throughout the State.

“They are both ready to fix the housing issue and improve current public housing stock.  

“I took the opportunity when in Sydney and Canberra, the week prior, to canvass the Valla Urban Growth Area project and I pushed our valley’s case that with more investment in enabling infrastructure for future stages, VUGA could deliver up to 770 new dwellings. This is 270 new home sites on Council-owned land, plus a further 500+ dwellings on already rezoned, privately owned land.

“Having this shovel-ready project in our backyard is a credit to present and past Councils, and to the Australian and NSW Governments that have already invested a combined $11.2 million in VUGA Stage One industrial opportunities.”

There are 89 Member Councils within the Country Mayors Association of NSW. The General Meeting held at NSW Parliament House on Friday 28 August was attended by the NSW Housing Minister, the Opposition Leader, the Shadow Minister, and the heads of Homes NSW, IPART, and Argyle Housing – key representatives in housing.

Attendees to last week’s General Meeting were also invited to a CMA dinner function the night prior, held at Doltone House, Hyde Park, Sydney, and attended by keynote speaker, Australia’s Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese.  

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:

Mr David Moloney

ACTING GENERAL MANAGER  

02 6568 2555

DATE: 2 September 2026