A ‘mixed-use complex’ at the heart of Atherton’s CBD, has been given the stamp of approval.
An accommodation complex of 27 units has been approved in a Far North region known to have a 0.1 per cent rental vacancy rate. Read the details.
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A game changing “mixed use complex” with build-to-rent apartments and commercial opportunities has been approved for development at the heart of a Tablelands town known for having one of the tightest rental vacancy rates in the region.
In a motion of overwhelming support, Tablelands Regional Council councillors voted in favour of the establishment of a mixed-use complex at 1 Vernon Street in Atherton, consisting of commercial uses on the ground level and residential uses above ground (levels one to three) at the council’s August ordinary meeting.
Twelve one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom residential units have been proposed in what will be the Tablelands’ first three-storey commercial building accommodation and all 27 units will be offered under an Affordable Housing Management Agreement on a build-to-rent scheme.
The building will be designed by Humac design with Suzan Quigg holding the landscaping design contract and is expected to provide some relief to the region’s acute housing crisis.
Mayor Rod Marti said it was good to see what the state level housing strategy looked like on the ground.
“It is an exciting thing for the Tablelands to have 21st century affordable housing coming to town,” he said.
“It is going into a prime location, exactly where we want it to be with the Priors Creek happening virtually at the same location and will be a great first step as it develops for the broader precinct.”
It would also provide opportunities for young people to enter the housing market, and drive investment in the residential development sector, he said.
According to Real Estate Institute of Queensland figures for the June 2023 quarter, the Tablelands had a rental vacancy rate of just 0.4%.
Councillor Peter Hodge said the development was a very important application in light of the dire housing situation in every town in the Tablelands.
“We all understand there’s a very serious situation with the housing market,” he said.
“People are living in cars, people cannot get places to rent so I am very happy to support this and hope it moves on as quick as it can.”
Councillor Bernie Wilce highlighted that it was affordable housing, not social housing and if managed correctly could be a real complement to the Priors Creek development.
Councillor Dave Bilney said it would change the picture landscape of the area, being the first three storey commercial building accommodation on the Tablelands.
“Affordable housing is often targeted at low to moderate income households which includes key workers employed in retail, hospitality, childcare and other service industries,” he said.
“Additionally people on support or aged pensioners and other members in the community may benefit from this.”
The ground floor commercial tenancies, with a combined gross floor area of 201sqm, had the option to establish a food and drink outlet, office, shop or healthcare service.
Located in proximity to the police station, courthouse and Silo Central shopping centre, the main concern expressed was in regards to a shortfall of parking by Kristy Gilvear, owner of Silo, citing likely spillover parking in its car park.
The shortfall was expected to be addressed, in part, through existing (and future) on-street parking and through a monetary contribution by the applicant towards the construction of five public parking spaces in the vicinity of the premises.
This was formalised by an infrastructure agreement with the council.
The project has thus been deemed consistent with assessment benchmarks and is expected to
integrate with the Prior’s Creek recreational precinct and enhance the character and amenity of the region’s main business streets.
Earlier this month, a development permit was approved for ten two bedroom units on Victoria Street in Atherton signalling positive steps in addressing housing shortages in the region.
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Originally published as A ‘mixed-use complex’ at the heart of Atherton’s CBD, has been given the stamp of approval.
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