An opposition attack on one of the NSW government's key housing reforms has been branded cynical and reckless by the premier, as developers join with housing advocates in criticising the move.
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The Liberals' opposition housing spokesman Scott Farlow has introduced upper-house legislation that would stymie proposed transport-oriented development plans.
That policy, one of the Labor government's signature measures to deliver much-needed housing, will introduce the blanket rezoning of land around eight metro stations and 37 existing transport hubs and town centres.
But Mr Farlow said the development plan was being imposed on local councils without enough consultation.
"Councils must be given the opportunity to design how they accommodate increased density in their local communities," he said.
Council reactions have varied, with some pushing for more stations in their boundaries to be included, while others want more control.
Premier Chris Minns said he was not surprised by the opposition's "cynical" move.
"But it's completely reckless to put that bill up and supply no other alternative plan for housing for young people in one of the most expensive cities in the world," he said on Wednesday.
"This is NIMBYism to a new level," he said, invoking the acronym for 'not in my back yard'.
New housing approvals in NSW remain well below the 75,000 extra homes needed each year for the state to meet its nationally agreed five-year target.
The premier found an ally in former coalition government minister Stuart Ayres, now chief executive of the Urban Development Institute of Australia's NSW division.
"Parliamentarians should be putting citizens first and working together to ensure there are more places for people to call home," Mr Ayres said in a statement calling for parliament to reject the opposition bill.
Transport-oriented development was the globally accepted standard for increasing housing density and the program should be expanded rather than scaled back or abolished, the developer lobby group said.
Property Council NSW executive director Katie Stevenson said there was no time to waste amid a "housing and construction crisis".
"Most local councils are focused on the bigger picture and support the (transport-oriented development) approach," she said.
The Housing Now advocacy group of businesses, unions, universities and peak bodies said it was dismayed by the opposition's short-sighted attempt to overturn the policy.
"We know that putting that housing near train stations is the best option to provide people with access to jobs and amenity ... NSW deserves better than political brinkmanship on critical issues like housing," the group said.
Greens MP Jenny Leong told ABC Radio the crossbench party would look closely at the opposition proposal but it was concerned by "faux arguments and confected outrage" in the midst of the housing crisis.
Transport-oriented development was a good concept but needs to be complemented with more community infrastructure, she said.
But Mr Minns accused the Greens of being "just as bad as the Liberals" on housing.
"They've been into NIMBYism for a decade, it's the truth," he told parliament.
The minority Labor government is reliant on the cross bench for support in both the upper and lower houses of the NSW parliament.
Australian Associated Press
