Nerang Administration Centre site considered for affordable housing precinct

The City is exploring the potential of turning a rundown council admin centre into a vibrant affordable housing precinct. FULL DETAILS

The rundown Nerang Administration Centre could be turned into an affordable housing precinct under a radical City plan to address the Gold Coast’s accommodation crisis.

Built in 1976 as the base for the former Albert Shire Council before amalgamation the building, which is renowned for its water leaks, houses 1000 Gold Coast City Council staffers.

City officers are investigating options for its future use but council sources reveal discussions are already underway with the State Government on creating an affordable housing precinct on the edge of the Nerang CBD.

The added benefit is other facilities like a community hall being moved to the centre of town.

Councillor Peter Young supports the move, which could see a public-private partnership.

“There are lots of moving parts at the moment in relation to the administration centre site, the Bicentennial centre site and the future of community facilities, and lots of options in the mix,” he said.

The Nerang Administration Centre, which was once the old Albert Shire council chambers, is on a site which could be converted for affordable housing.

“My primary focus is on the provision of high quality facilities to serve the community of Nerang and the surrounding suburban and hinterland areas — for example, an evacuation centre, auditorium and meeting rooms along with customer service.

“I welcome the potential for affordable housing on the current administration site – Nerang desperately needs additional population to support local businesses and commerce.

“However, there will be a need to focus on the quality of such residential development and the communities that we create.”

Mr Young said he was working with City CEO Tim Baker and other senior staffers and consultants in the pursuit of a final outcome.

“It is an exciting prospect but there are many challenges,” he said.

The Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre, part of a large site which could become an affordable housing project.

Mayor Tom Tate said the City’s recent purchase of the Corporate Centre had consolidated office accommodation in the Bundall precinct and was made on the back of moving out of Nerang.

“Having staff, contractors and councillors commuting between Bundall and Nerang for 30 years since amalgamation has been anything but ideal and I think it shows the current council is prepared to make hard decisions that benefit the City’s operations,” he said.

Sources suggest the state government Housing Department was in the past reluctant to consider the Nerang site.

Council employees at the Nerang offices.

City councillors and senior managers are planning to meet with Housing Minister Sam O’Connor on June 13, where talks will include the current homeless crisis.

With dozens of rough sleepers at Carey Park in Southport highlighting a lack of low cost housing, the spotlight is on providing more accommodation in the city.

A pile of belongings from a homeless person evicted from Carey Park at Southport. Other rough sleepers said council had instructed to leave it near the footpath.

Gaven MP and former Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon supports the City’s housing plan.

“Unlike LNP NIMBY Housing Minister Sam O’Connor who axes housing in his own backyard, I support affordable housing in my community,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Building homes here would at least go some way to making up for the hundreds of affordable houses the LNP have already scrapped on the Gold Coast.”

Mr O’Connor and Ms Scanlon had previously clashed on Labor’s plan for affordable housing at the old Arundel golf course site.

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Originally published as Nerang Administration Centre site considered for affordable housing precinct