TWEED residents wanting public housing face a waiting list of up to 20 years, according to Tweed MP Geoff Provest.

He claimed this remarkable figure was pushing people to invest across the border.

“Waiting periods for housing in Coolangatta and areas of the southern Gold Coast are approximately 10 years, whereas the waiting list for public housing in the Tweed is almost twice that of Queensland,” Mr Provest told State Parliament this week.

“In my electorate there already is a waiting list for public housing of between 17 and 20 years, which is probably the longest waiting period of any area in the state.”

As one of the fastest-growing regional areas in NSW, Mr Provest said housing affordability was paramount in Tweed.

“My electorate has more people who live in caravan parks and relocatable homes than any other electorate in the state,” he said.

“In about five years... there will be about 20,000 new housing blocks released in the Tweed.

“The more affordable housing is, the better it will be for young families in particular who wish to enter the housing market.”

For these reasons, Mr Provest said he applauded amendments to the Real Property (Torrens Assurance Levy Repeal) Bill, which will repeal a tax imposed on home buyers in NSW.

“As a result of numerous low level taxes that apply in the Tweed, but not in Queensland, the Gold Coast is an area of real economic growth and housing construction,” he said.

“In the meantime, the Tweed is suffering as a consequence of the creation of an uneven playing field.

“The cost of a house in the Tweed is $35,000 more than the cost of an exactly similar house in Queensland. That is quite incredible.”

Mr Provest said the amendment bill, passed on Tuesday, was a small step in the right direction.

“I urge the government to do more to bring the cost of housing into line so that NSW will be competitive with other states,” he said.

“The disparate costs applying in New South Wales compared to Queensland are having widespread detrimental effects. I certainly remember that when I bought my first home, every dollar counted.”