City of Coffs Harbour airs plan to encourage influx of affordable one and two-bedroom home builds

Coffs Harbour is at the pinch-point of a state affordable housing shortage, prompting the fast-growing seaside city to think outside the box to help people into the market.

Coffs Harbour is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle and agreeable climate but finding an affordable home has become a challenge for many. Pictured is City of Coffs Harbour planning and communities acting director Ian Fitzgibbon.

Wannabe homeowners biding their time in cramped caravans are the human face of the shortage of affordable housing in Coffs Harbour.

A lack of affordable properties is presenting a challenge right across the NSW North Coast – and particularly so at Coffs, which in some respects has become a victim of its own desirability as a place to live.

Thousands of residents spend more than a third of their income on housing costs, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2021. Anecdotally, it seems the situation has only worsened.

“It’s (a challenge) across much of NSW – but Coffs Harbour is one of the worst,” City of Coffs Harbour’s planning and communities acting director Ian Fitzgibbon said.

“I know families that have been in caravan parks for eight months.”

The Aussie dream of big homes on big blocks isn’t coveted by all in changing communities like Coffs Harbour.

As the most intimate tier of government, the council has crafted a draft housing strategy designed to boost the stock of affordable digs.

On the table are a number of incentives to sweeten the deal for private developers to invest in more affordable units, townhouses, granny flats and studios.

“We are looking to allow dual occupancy under 800 square metres – that will hopefully over time see gradual renewal,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Another potential carrot would be a relaxation of carparking requirements at new builds.

Coffs Harbour has an ambition to be a city where residents can more easily get around on foot or on a bicycle.

“Parking is a considerable cost (for developers),” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“Our community is changing … there are more (people aged) 75s and overs who don’t require a car and can get to groceries and bus stops by walking or cycling.”

The draft strategy has been on public exhibition and submissions can be made until 5pm, October 13.

In many respects it’s a case of from little things (like studios), big things grow.

Granny flats are seen as part of the mix which could boost the stock of affordable housing at Coffs.

“Over 5000 households (in Coffs) are in housing stress. We need housing now as we are in a crisis,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The draft Affordable Housing Strategy proposes 15 initiatives the City can pursue to facilitate and encourage development.

“The role of councils is to influence housing supply through land use zoning, development controls, the timing of land release, location of services and facilities and the levying of development contributions and application fees,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“No one sector can solve this issue alone, and through this strategy, the City of Coffs Harbour is seeking to play its part in contributing to a solution.”

Comments and feedback can be provided at: haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/draft-affordable-housing-strategy.