Uralla Shire Council Adopts Local Housing Strategy

Published on 01 September 2025

Uralla Shire Council has formally adopted the Uralla Local Housing Strategy, setting a clear pathway to guide how housing in our Shire will evolve over the next 20 years. The Strategy responds to the challenges and opportunities facing our community, including changing demographics, affordability pressures, and the housing and accommodation impacts of the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

The Strategy was placed on public exhibition between March and May 2025. During this period, Council received 123 survey responses and 13 written submissions from community members, government agencies and stakeholders. This strong level of participation reflected the community’s deep interest in how Uralla should grow.

During preparation of the draft Strategy, a number of key issues were identified. These included the need to address housing affordability and availability, particularly given rising rents linked to renewable energy projects; gaps in housing options for an ageing population; infrastructure limitations that constrain new development; and the challenge of balancing growth with protection of Uralla’s distinctive village character. These issues framed the draft Strategy that was placed on public exhibition, and shaped the feedback received from the community and government agencies.

Community feedback highlighted several important themes. Many stressed the importance of protecting Uralla’s community cohesion, heritage and locally-owned businesses which was seen as critical element in Bridge Street’s vibrant retail strip. Cookie cutter subdivisions were universally rejected, while others raised concerns about the strategies emphasis on infill development, the availability of land, and the need for careful planning to manage the REZ workforce accommodation. Affordability and the lack of availability of homes for potential newcomers was also a source of concern.

Following exhibition, the Strategy was refined to respond directly to the issues raised. Key changes include:

• Worker accommodation and REZ legacy housing: stronger guidance to ensure that temporary worker housing is well-located, designed to fit Uralla’s character, and planned so it can transition into permanent housing after construction.
• Support for community-led and non-market housing models: new actions to explore innovative solutions such as community land trusts, cooperatives and rent-to-buy arrangements.
• Growth areas and township boundaries: clarification of Uralla’s footprint, and identification of where future residential expansion, rural lifestyle, industrial land should be located, through a Growth Management Strategy and Township Structure Plan.
• Housing diversity and ageing in place: improved recognition of the need for smaller, lower-maintenance homes, including granny flats and flexible housing types.
• Integration of agency feedback: updated mapping, clearer design guidance, and alignment with State planning frameworks in response to feedback from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Strategic Planning Officer Emily Sims welcomed the adoption of the Strategy: “This is an important milestone for our community. The Strategy reflects what we heard from residents protecting Uralla’s unique character while making sure there are housing choices for people at different stages of life. It gives Council a strong foundation for the work ahead.”

The adoption of the Strategy is not the end of the conversation. Over the coming year, Council will commence preparation of a Growth Management Strategy which will consider the future of rural land and settlements like Kentucky and Rocky River, as well as industrial land. Uralla’s 12-year-old heritage study will be reviewed, and infrastructure servicing plans to guide development costs. Finally, a comprehensive review of the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) will be completed by June 2026, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the NSW Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund. These projects will translate the directions in the Housing Strategy into the planning rules and land use frameworks that shape future development.

Community input will remain central to these processes. Council will continue to provide opportunities for residents to participate, share their views, and help shape the future of housing in Uralla.