Central Coast Council is pushing ahead to deliver the next stage of its ground-breaking Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.
Council resolved at its August 22 meeting to progress investigations on identified, suitably located Council owned sites to be utilised for affordable housing developments.
These properties, located at The Entrance, Toukley and Wyong, are well-situated in terms of public transport and availability of retail, community and health services, and are primarily current or former public car parking sites or are parcels of land which have been previously acquired to increase the availability of car parking through development of public car parks.
A compulsory acquisition overlay applies to some of the properties.
Some have been acquired for other purposes including for expansion of existing public parks and this is reflected in the current land-use zoning of the land.
Council CEO David Farmer said Council wants to play its part in alleviating the housing crisis in the region.
“The question of what role can, and should, Council play in the issue of affordable housing is high priority for us,” he said.
“We all highlight the wonderful lifestyle and attributes of the Coast, and welcome the ever growing population – but we must ensure we have a sustainable strategy for housing, whether it be for ownership, rental and even emergency housing, for the growth and wellbeing of the Coast to continue.
“This isn’t a quick fix.
“There are a range of issues that need to be addressed to optimise the affordable outcomes at each location identified.
“However, by making decisions now such as identifying surplus sites and land which can be used for affordable housing, it is ensuring that there will be a pipeline of building set in place to address the lack of affordable housing supply on the Coast.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said that one of the benefits of Council’s improved financial position is that Council is able to action its Affordable Housing Strategy.
“An example of this already is the pilot partnership with community housing provider Pacific Link, which is progressing well to deliver affordable housing at Ashton Ave, The Entrance,” he said.
“We also have four Council-owned dwellings which are currently formally managed by a Community Housing Provider for community transitional housing.
“Council strongly believes that this is ethically responsible and any increase in supply will be of great benefit to the Central Coast community which is key to Council’s overall commitment.”
Hart noted the NSW State Government’s recent announcement that it will streamline the development application process by qualifying developments with a proportion of community housing eligible for expediated approval pathways.
“Council is totally committed to implementing the actions of its Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy and the allocation of Council-owned property for the purposes of affordable housing development, is considered an indication of how Council is working to help alleviate the housing crisis on the Central Coast,” Hart said.
“Council is leading the way across NSW, and walking the talk.
“Council’s resolution on August 22 is a responsible one and one that will ultimately provide the community with affordable housing solutions.”
To view Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy visit https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/forms-and-publications/strategies-and-plans
Source:
Central Coast Council