‘Argyll Estate’ redevelopment announced in face of Coffs Coast housing crisis

The State Government is exploring the potential to bring higher-density, and mixed social and private housing to a residential area near the heart of the city – similar to renewal projects which have been undertaken in Sydney.

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey has opened an EOI.

The State Government has announced it is exploring opportunities for desperately needed new housing in Coffs Harbour through the redevelopment of a suburban area near the heart of the city, dubbed ‘Argyll Estate’.

Close to Park Beach Plaza, ‘Argyll Estate’ is located south of Bray St and consists of 127 properties and two vacant lots owned by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation and the Aboriginal Housing Office.

Prompted by the Coffs Coast’s housing crisis, Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey has opened an Expression of Interest for builders and the community housing sector to renew the area.

It focuses on the local area south of Bray Street to Argyll Street (including Deborah Close, Maple Street and Argyll Place) and from Frederick Street to Elm Street.

The potential redevelopment project will take place in an area just south of Park Beach Plaza.

The privately-owned and council-owned properties within the Argyll Estate are not included in the EOI.

She said the EOI was designed to bring “innovative” new ideas to the table and test how government assets could be leveraged to deliver modern and new social and private housing in the region.

The EOI seeks to determine whether renewal models that have been delivered mixed housing in communities in Sydney could work in the regions.

“We’re working hard to create a safer and stronger regional NSW, but good housing cannot be delivered by government alone, which is why we’re looking to harness expertise and innovation from the private and not-for-profit sectors,” Mrs Pavey said.

The EOI supports the objectives of Coffs Harbour City Council’s Local Growth Management Strategy, and respondents must therefore present ideas that increase density and diversity of housing, as well as replace existing social housing with modern social homes that better meet local demand. They must also be culturally sensitive for Aboriginal residents within a mixed tenure community.

Social housing residents in the Argyll Estate have been informed directly of the EOI by their respective community housing provider, and at this time no relocations are taking place.

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh said the EOI was prompted by an increased focus on housing availability in recent months.

Coffs MP Gurmesh Singh said discussion have identified that an increase in density is required to meet demands of Coffs’ growing population. Photo: Trevor Veale

The well-documented housing shortage came as the pandemic saw rental vacancies drop to near zero in some areas, and housing prices surge.

Pre-Covid there were warnings of rising house prices and declining wages pushing more people to the edge, but the situation has escalated as people have been seeking to escape the city as we emerge from the pandemic.

Owners are returning to the region to work from home in properties they previously rented out while new listings are quickly being snapped up.

“The discussions on the housing shortages on the North Coast have identified that, alongside greenfield sites, an increase in density is also required to meet the demands of our growing population,” Mr Singh said.

“Strategies like this will help create new homes close to shops, amenities, and transport, and increasing the diversity of housing in the Argyll Estate, as well as the renewal of public housing assets, will have positive social and economic benefits.”

Should a viable Concept Plan be put forward, all community members will be invited to have their say. The EOI is being run by LAHC and is open until Friday, June 18.

The result of the EOI and next steps are expected to be announced in mid-2021.

Meanwhile, Mission Australia recently announced it will spend more than $2 million dollars fixing up social housing properties on the Mid North Coast.