Wollongbar housing project could be at risk in face of council delays

Marilyn Perkins is passionate about creating a safe place for vulnerable mature women but fears hurdles in securing land could place a crucial project at risk.

Wollongbar resident Marilyn Perkins is the driving force behind a proposal for a social housing pilot project for mature women. Picture: Liana Boss

One residential block is all the Wollongbar community needs to have a pilot social housing project up and running.

But $500,000 dedicated to the proposed project is sitting in the bank while the process of securing land is on hold.

Wollongbar resident Marilyn Perkins has been the driving force for the project, which would focus on supporting mature single women in vulnerable housing circumstances.

The proposal was first raised with Ballina Shire Council in late 2019.

Between a significant private donation and funds allocated by non-profit organisations, there’s now half a million dollars set aside for the construction of four cabins.

Ballina Shire Council resolved in July 2021 to launch an open tender process for a council-owned block of residential land in Wollongbar to be used for the purpose Ms Perkins’ group has in mind.

The floorplan of cottages proposed for the social housing pilot project.

There has so far been no sign of that tender progressing.

Ms Perkins said the plight of mature women facing tenuous housing circumstances compelled her to do something.

Single women over 55 are the fastest growing group of people experiencing homelessness.

“I had personal experience of a couple of my friends … and it could have been me,” she said.

“If circumstances had been different, it could have been me having nowhere to live in my later years.

“Our project aims to provide a real solution – although more will be needed.”

Ms Perkins said the four pilot cabins would be “functional but small”.

They would meet some crucial needs of those experiencing homelessness: security of tenure, privacy and safety.

Marilyn Perkins in Wollongbar. Picture: Liana Boss

She said it was “understandable” the council wanted to open the Wollongbar land up through an open tender to ensure an open process with the best outcome.

She is concerned, however, things have been at a standstill since the July decision.

“Now it is coming up to eight months later and we’ve heard absolutely nothing,” she said.

“I contacted council in September, October, November, and really I think it’s just that resolution is sitting there.”

With professionals throwing their time and expertise into the concept, she is convinced it has legs.

David McGrath of Davcam Pty Ltd, Chris Lonergan and Sumarah Ramsay of Byron Bay Planning, Dona Graham of Carefusion Advocacy and Legal, and Fiona Gibson of Sanctuary Design have been among those contributing to the plans.

Behind the new district park in Wollongbar is a block of land owned by Ballina Shire Council which was earmarked for a possible social housing pilot project, but this has yet to be released to open tender. Picture: Liana Boss

“With all this pro-bono work being done, people believe in the worth of this little project,” she said.

“We understand a staff report, to come to the February council meeting, will detail plans for the council to undertake its own housing project, and our tender process may not be activated in the foreseeable future.”

In a statement, a Ballina Shire Council spokeswoman said there was work being done in response to the council’s July resolution.

“Action (on the tender) is progressing, and is subject to a briefing with the new council as part of their induction process scheduled for February,” she said.

“As part of its consideration of affordable housing, council has also been considering options for the use of council-owned land for a broader affordable and attainable housing outcome.”

Marilyn Perkins in front of the Wollongbar district park, which borders a block of residential land where she hopes a social housing pilot project can be built. Picture: Liana Boss

She said the open tender process would facilitate a “comprehensive review of options that have the potential to improve access to affordable housing”.

“This is particularly important because there are a range of different groups of people to consider along with site characteristics and planning and building elements associated with potential options,” she said.

The council has also met with the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Housing and written to ministers, the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Crisis Accommodation, NSW Housing Taskforce and the federal government to lobby on issues related to the housing crisis.

Mr Perkins meanwhile hopes the new cohort of councillors will back her project.

Otherwise she is hopeful a generous donor could help the group to secure land to expedite the project.

“We are keen to see this project become a reality, but we do need land,” Ms Perkins said.

“We are sitting here with half a million dollars, waiting to build.

“It’s incredibly frustrating that we can’t progress this.”

Anyone who can help by donating land, or providing funding to buy land, should contact David McGrath via email: [e-mail].