The Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) is a NSW Government initiative designed to accelerate the delivery of new housing by providing a streamlined assessment pathway for major residential developments. Established within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the HDA enables eligible residential and mixed-use proposals to be considered for assessment as State Significant Development (SSD), allowing projects to be assessed at a state level rather than through local council processes.
The pathway was introduced as part of broader planning reforms aimed at increasing housing supply and reducing approval timeframes for large developments. Through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, the HDA reviews major proposals and may recommend that the Minister for Planning declare them as SSD.
Projects typically considered through this pathway include large residential developments above approximately $60 million in Greater Sydney or $30 million in regional NSW, reflecting developments capable of delivering significant housing outcomes.
Faster Assessment Through The SSD Pathway
When a project is recommended by the HDA and declared State Significant Development, the development application is assessed by the NSW Department of Planning rather than a local council. This state-led process is designed to provide a more consistent and efficient planning assessment framework for large-scale housing projects.
In some cases, the HDA pathway may also allow a concurrent rezoning and development assessment, which can further reduce the overall planning timeline and accelerate the delivery of new homes.
EDC Requirements for State Significant Developments
Where a development is declared State Significant Development, whether through the HDA or other SSD mechanisms (including qualifying Infrastructure or Affordable Housing developments), additional cost reporting requirements apply.
In these cases, the Development Application must include:
- A certified Estimated Development Cost (EDC) report, and
- Employment generation estimates associated with the project.
These documents must be prepared by a qualified Quantity Surveyor accredited by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), ensuring that the reported development costs and economic impacts are independently verified.
The employment estimates plays a critical role in planning assessment process, as it is used to determine development thresholds, inform government assessment processes and support the evaluation of large projects within the NSW planning system. Read more about Estimate Development Cost here.
Supporting Housing Supply in NSW
The HDA pathway forms part of the NSW Government’s broader strategy to address housing supply challenges by prioritising well-located, high-yield residential developments close to transport, employment and services. By enabling large projects to be assessed at a state level, the pathway aims to reduce delays in the planning system and support faster delivery of new homes across the state.