Ballina’s St Francis Xavier Parish lodges development application for houses on Mitchell Cl, Cumbalum
A Northern Rivers church has unveiled multimillion-dollar plans to build 34 residential plots on a rural parcel of land which it claims will help to ease housing affordability.
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A Northern NSW church has unveiled bold plans which it claims will help ease housing affordability in the region.
A $3.5 million development application lodged by Ballina’s St Francis Xavier parish would transform the land between Ballina Heights Dr, Mitchell Cl and the Pacific Hwy, Cumbalum.
Parish priest Paul Lloyd said a number — but did not specify the exact amount — of the planned homes would be low-cost housing.
“So much of the land out in that area has already been sold,” Mr Lloyd said.
“So we haven’t got much left for people to use to buy houses and we hope this will help ease the burden on housing pressure in the area.
“What it really comes down to is we’re just trying to get land on the market for people to buy houses.”
According to planning documents, the proposed site is located in a rapidly developing urban residential area, called the “Ballina Heights Estate, Cumbalum Urban Release Area”.
If approved the land one space would be dedicated to council for the construction of new roads as well as stormwater infrastructure.
The plans also propose three new roads which would connect the separate homes.
Currently, the site sits land which is zoned as both rural and medium density residential.
All of the 34 new homes would be placed in the area which has been zoned for residential — not rural — use.
“This will provide increased competition in the marketplace and will provide additional and alternate lifestyle opportunities for existing and future residents,” planning documents state.
“The construction of future dwellings on the lots will also increase employment opportunities in the area (and) will have positive multiplier effects on the local economy”.
Ballina Shire Council will determine the development application in the coming months.
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