Parramatta. Competition to cease

John Brogden, chairman of Parramatta-based Landcom will stop selling land and housing in competiton with private developers. By the end pf the year, Landcom will merge with the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority to become Urbangrowth NSW with a mandate and new powers.

South West. Guide for development

Landcom has prepared a draft development control plan for Edmondson Park South which includes provisions to guide the preparation and assessment of development applications at the site. Landcom is seeking an amendment of the State significant site listing to reduce the minimum lot size from 250 square metres to 200 square metres for dwelling houses and semi-detached dwellings.

Parramatta. Brogden heads new group

The former Coalition leader John Brogden, recently made the chairman of Landcom, based in Parramatta, will be the head of Urbangrowth NSW, formed to co-ordinate developments on greenfield and existing urban areas. The Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard, said the new body, would be ''Landcom on steroids'' and would be modelled on government agencies in other states that have broad powers to encourage new housing projects.

Region. New urban body

A centrepiece of the NSW Budget is the Building the State package, which includes the creation of Urbangrowth NSW – a new agency blending Landcom, based in Parramatta, and the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority to drive urban renewal and land release, Urbangrowth NSW will integrate Landcom and the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority as a new driver for housing and precinct delivery. The Budget also contains $75 million through the Sydney Region Development Fund to acquire land for regional open space and transport corridors. The government intends to have the new organisation up and running by mid July.

Parramatta. New Landcom chairman

Former NSW Liberal leader, John Brogden, has been named chairman of the state land development body, Landcom, based in the Parramatta CBD. Hi appointment follows the resignation of incumbent, William Kirky-Jones, after 15 years as chairman. Landcom deputy chairman, Neil Bird, is retiring also.

Region. Increase in lots sold

Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said the work the State and Federal Governments was doing to make houses affordable was paying dividends for first home buyers in North West and South West Sydney. “At The Ponds alone, at Kellyville Ridge, Landcom has sold 203 lots since the increase of the first home buyers grant, which is a 168 per cent increase on the same period last year (and) the Garden Gates Estate, at Mt Annan, has sold 76 lots over the same five months, an increase of 111 per cent compared to same time period last year,” she said. Landcom would bring forward another 335 Landcom lots ahead of time to meet increased demand.

Region. Landcom 'bracing 'for sales boost

Parramatta-based, Landcom was bracing itself for continued strong sales following the Reserve Bank decision to drop interest rates a further 1 per cent, Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said the interest rate cut was expected to further boost already increased Landcom property sales in Northwest and Southwest Sydney. “Lower interest rates and increased State and Federal First Home Buyer Grants to a total of $24,000 have so far led to a 30 per cent increase in Landcom sales and sales inquires,” Ms Keneally said. The significant increases meant Landcom would have to release more land lots to meet the demand, she said.