12 March 2026
New data indicates that the North Sydney Local Government Area is significantly behind its designated housing approval targets, showing a deficit of 65% and ranking as the fifth-lowest performer among metropolitan NSW councils.
Information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that North Sydney Council’s approval rate is below the state’s housing supply objectives. The district is tasked with facilitating 5,900 new dwellings by 2029, including an interim target of 1,868 approvals by January 2026. However, the Council has approved only 849 dwellings, representing 34.90% of the January target.
In comparison, the only councils with lower approval rates during the same timeframe are Hunter Hill (34.70%), Waverley (32.40%), Willoughby (32.10%), and Strathfield (24.30%).
Conversely, three NSW councils have exceeded their targets: Burwood, Hawkesbury, and Canada Bay, with the latter reporting an approval rate that is 157.50% above its goal.
The NSW Government’s Faster Assessment Incentive Program, launched last year to encourage medium and high-growth councils to expedite development assessment times and increase housing delivery, offers up to $200 million in financial incentives to top-performing eligible councils.
NSW Minister for Planning, Paul Scully, has confirmed that councils with lagging performance, including North Sydney, have been notified that they do not meet the criteria for the grant funding.