Housing strategy goes to government for endorsement

Central Coast Council’s Local Housing Strategy will go to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for endorsement following its adoption at the May 28 Council meeting.

It seeks to implement a number of strategies and actions to better manage housing supply across the region.

Council Acting Director Environment and Planning Luke Sulkowski said the Strategy recognised the region’s housing challenges and outlined a number of ways to address these in the short term, and through to 2041.

“The Central Coast has experienced continued rapid population growth, a shortage of low-cost rental accommodation and lack of diversity within the existing housing stock,” he said.

“A co-ordinated approach across all levels of government and the private sector is required to support diverse and sustainable housing on the Central Coast and respond to community concerns.

“Our Local Housing Strategy outlines Council’s role and sets the agenda for work that we will undertake in the coming years to address these challenges at a local level – in a co-ordinated and collaborative way.

“Council activities will support and encourage the responsible delivery of additional housing that’s diverse, affordable and resilient to climate changes with suitable protection of community green spaces and the environment.

“Importantly, our activities will also support the delivery of adequate infrastructure and service planning to cope with additional housing developments.”

Key pieces of work include the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme, amendments to the Central Coast Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plan to promote greater delivery and diversity in the housing stock, and continued participation in the Urban Development Program to ensure infrastructure is delivered where it is needed.

Administrator Rik Hart said ongoing community consultation played an important role in the development of the Strategy.

“There was a high level of engagement from the broad community and key stakeholders during the public exhibition of the Local Housing Strategy,” he  said.

“Council received more than 100 formal submissions during our community drop-in sessions, as well as gaining insights from developers and other key agencies including Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, Heritage NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and Schools Infrastructure NSW.

“Community concerns and ideas raised during the public exhibition were thoroughly considered to ensure the Local Housing Strategy meets the needs and aspirations of the community without compromise to the characteristics that make the Central Coast a desirable place to live.”

Once endorsed by the NSW Government, the Central Coast Local Housing Strategy will be available on Council’s website and will be one of the key strategic planning documents for our local government area.

The draft Strategy can be viewed within the May 28 meeting report and attachments on Council’s Meeting Agendas and Minutes web page.