Newcastle property industry leaders say the NSW government's six cities strategy and home buyer grants are helping the city's property sector defy national trends.
Ahead of Cities and Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes' visit to Newcastle on Friday to discuss the six cities strategy and the role of the Greater Cities Commission in the Hunter at an event at NEX, Colliers Residential director Ed Crawford said Newcastle was bucking the national housing trend through a combination of affordability, lifestyle and strong government support for home buyers.
Mr Crawford, also a former chair of the Property Council, said the 10-year transformation of inner Newcastle was a key to the city's appeal as a desirable place to buy property.
"We have all seen what Newcastle has become over the last 10 years," Mr Crawford said.
"Newcastle is now recognised nationally and internationally as a city that offers unrivalled lifestyle and opportunity.
"We are already so affordable compared to the major metropolitan centres, and the new grants and stamp duty relief available to first-home buyers are unheard of.
"People aren't holding back."
The NSW government's three-cities strategy has grown to a six-cities vision, aiming to create better job opportunities in regional areas, attract world-class industry and talent, and deliver the infrastructure to connect the cities together.
The six cities strategy for a "global mega-region" comprises the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle City, Central Coast City, Illawarra-Shoalhaven City, Western Parkland City, Central River City and Eastern Harbour City.
The NSW Government recently announced 10,000 places in the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, allowing eligible first home buyers to enter the property market with as little as a 5 per cent deposit.
Newcastle is classified as a regional centre for the grant.
Stokes recently confirmed he will quit state politics at the March election.
