As proud members of Faith Housing Australia (FHA), SDG and Sydney Anglican Property (SAP) are pleased to be taking a lead role in supporting the peak body in advocating for changes to SP2 zoning regulations. This initiative aims to unlock the potential of church-owned land for housing development, addressing Sydney's housing crisis while supporting sustainable community growth. The proposed changes would enable religious organisations to utilise their properties for residential projects, potentially delivering thousands of new homes across the city. Rob Stokes, Chair of Faith Housing Australia, is a key proponent of these zoning changes. He believes that this initiative can underpin and enable the achievement of broader urban renewal and housing supply goals.
By allowing residential projects on SP2-zoned land, churches can generate sustainable funding for their ministries while addressing urgent community housing needs in well-located areas. Advocacy efforts are already gaining traction, with discussions underway among policymakers about the potential benefits of this approach. SDG will continue to collaborate with FHA’s advocacy initiatives on this matter, as we strive to activate church sites for the benefit of surrounding communities.
For more insights into this important advocacy work, read Rob Stokes' article on the potential impact of SP2 zoning changes here.