An L shaped block of land with frontages to Macleay Ave and Nambucca Dr, Woy Woy, is set to be rezoned General Residential to make way for a Pacific Link affordable housing development.
The project will supply around 21 one and two-bedroom units.
Council voted at its October 11 meeting to proceed with a planning proposal to rezone the western part of a huge lot from RE1 Public Recreation to R1 General Residential to allow for the project.
Pacific Link Housing, which owns the entire site, has agreed to dedicate the eastern portion, which will remain zoned RE1, to Council for drainage purposes and to close two adjoining unused pathways and incorporate them into the developable land.
The land will be regenerated in accordance with an approved Vegetation Management Plan prior to dedication to Council.
A report to Council said the rezoning proposal had strategic merit, with the land sitting within an established residential area and adjoining other R1 zoned land which has been developed for medium density housing.
“The proposal will enable the potential provision of affordable rental housing to meet the needs of people on very low to moderate incomes,” the report said.
“The eastern part of the site is vegetated and accommodates a watercourse which forms a continuation of the local drainage system.
“There will be a public benefit in this land coming into public ownership.”
Eleven submissions were received on the proposal, with nine objecting.
The main concerns raised were that: land zoned RE1 Public Recreation should not be rezoned; there is a scarcity of open space in the area; the rezoning will result in the removal of vegetation and habitat along with the destruction of very limited remaining area of the Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) – Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland; and the site is too far from the services and train station at Woy Woy.
But the report recommended approval because: the project is for infill residential development within an established residential area comprising both low and medium density housing; it will provide affordable rental housing; it is well located in relation to services, facilities and social support in Woy Woy and it is to be developed and managed by a recognised community housing provider with wrap around support services and programs for tenants.
The report said the project aligned with the objectives in Council’s Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.
Source:
Central Coast Council agenda, Oct 11