NSW Transport Oriented Development: What It Means for Construction

20 March 2025Updated 1 January 20265 min readBuilding Solution Australia

Independent AnalysisThis article represents Building Solution Australia's own analysis and perspective on industry trends and developments. It is not independent research and should not be treated as such. It does not constitute legal, financial, planning, or professional advice.

Building Solution Australia's analysis of the NSW Government's Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program — which allows increased residential density around train stations — and its implications for construction demand and delivery.

This article represents Building Solution Australia's own analysis and perspective on the NSW TOD program. It is not independent research and does not constitute planning or legal advice.

What is the NSW TOD program?

The NSW Government's Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program allows increased residential density within 400 metres of certain train stations across metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW. The program was introduced as part of the NSW Government's housing supply reform package.

Under the TOD program, land within the designated precincts can be developed for higher-density residential uses — including apartments and mixed-use buildings — without requiring a rezoning application. The program uses a State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) to override local planning controls.

Scale of the opportunity

The TOD program covers a significant number of train stations across NSW, creating a large pipeline of potential residential development sites. The NSW Government has indicated that the program has the potential to deliver tens of thousands of new homes over the coming decade.

Construction implications

TOD development typically involves: - Medium to high-density residential buildings (4–10+ storeys) - Mixed-use ground floors in some locations - Structured parking - Higher-quality finishes and amenity than traditional suburban housing

These project types are well-suited to industrialised construction methods — including prefabricated bathroom pods, modular kitchens, and prefabricated facade systems — that can deliver programme certainty and quality consistency at scale.

BSA's perspective

Building Solution Australia sees the NSW TOD program as a significant source of construction demand for integrated design-manufacture-construct delivery. The company is actively engaging with developers and community housing providers pursuing TOD opportunities.

Source Note

Building Solution Australia's own analysis. Does not constitute planning or legal advice. Refer to the NSW Department of Planning for authoritative information.

Building Solution Australia