I am delighted to contribute to debate on the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Housing and Productivity Contributions) Bill 2023. The bill proposes to implement a broad-based development system to replace the existing special infrastructure contributions [SIC] system from 1 October 2023. This will fund growth‑enabling infrastructure in high population growth areas of Greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, Central Coast and Lower Hunter, supporting housing delivery and economic growth. Being in government after 12 years under the Liberal‑Nationals Coalition is a bit like returning home after your teenager has thrown a house party the night before. It is chaotic and there is a never‑ending pile of mess to clean up. However, the bill is a great starting point.

This bill certainly assists in addressing the housing crisis that was allowed to fester and grow under the former Government, now Opposition. There are plenty of reasons Liberal-Nationals MPs now find themselves on that side of the House. The housing crisis is just one of those reasons. As the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces pointed out, through briefings the Government discovered that New South Wales needs to build 314,000 new dwellings, or 62,800 per year, over five years. However, only 180,000 are expected to be completed in that time. That shortfall of 134,000 dwellings is the result of the mess created by members opposite that this Government now has to clean up. Adding to the housing woes is the fact that housing approvals are continuing to trend down, with annual approvals down 18 per cent in March. That is why the bill is so important. It is both sensible and practical—an approach members opposite are clearly not familiar with. If the housing crisis is to be addressed, positive change and political will is needed, and this Government is focused on those areas.

My electorate of Heathcote is unique. The northern section takes in residents from the Sutherland shire whilst the southern part, from Helensburgh down, takes in the Illawarra region. Both areas have many different needs, as well as many common interests and concerns. Housing is one of those. As a mother of two children now in their twenties, I am deeply concerned about how they will get their foot in the property market. Rising rents, house prices and interest rates have made the great Australian dream of owning your own home more difficult than ever, particularly for young people. Younger generations wonder not only how they will afford their own home but also where they will live and what their communities will look like in the future. Will they have access to basic infrastructure like health, education, roads and community facilities? That, again, is why the bill is so important.

Currently, our State has an ad hoc system for special infrastructure contributions. The bill will ensure that those funds are used in an appropriate manner to benefit existing and future residents in those areas by spending them on State and regional roads, health infrastructure, public transport, pedestrian and cycle paths, emergency services and public open spaces. State and regional roads worsened under the former Government. Members opposite can deny it all they want but the proof is in the pudding—or, should I say, in the potholes. Given how much emergency department waiting times in hospitals have blown out since 2011, health infrastructure was nothing but an afterthought under the former Government. Again, members opposite can deny it all they want but the facts are undeniable.

The rate of decline of the public transport system under the former Government borders on criminal. Public transport is one of the biggest issues raised with me by constituents from all corners of my electorate. I am a regular commuter, so I understand their anger and frustration with the former Government's many failures in this space. Provisions for pedestrian and cycle paths are essential for ensuring that residents throughout our great State can keep active and healthy. Access to public open spaces is also vital for physical and mental health, which is why they cannot, and should not, be ignored or dismissed. The more people who move into an area, the more resources like emergency services become stretched. That is why having a new broad-based housing and productivity contributions scheme in the four high‑growth areas, including Greater Sydney and the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions, is vital.

The Government is not focused on building housing estates; it is focused on building liveable communities. To achieve that, it is vital that an effective and efficient scheme is in place to ensure basic, yet vital, infrastructure is funded appropriately. I commend the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for his incredible work in this space. I know how passionate he is about ensuring that everyone has access to basic and vital infrastructure. I have had countless conversations with the Minister on this topic. It is important to note that the bill is the result of extensive consultation and has been developed by engaging with key stakeholders, such as State agencies, and local government and industry bodies, to discuss what they want and need. The Government has listened to what they had to say and this bill is the result. The former Government ruled with an iron first; this Government will not follow suit. Again, I commend the Minister for his wonderful work in this space. I know the bill will make an enormous difference for generations to come. I thank the House.