Multiple occupancies under threat

THE concept of communal living may become a distant 1970s, flower-power memory if the Kyogle Council decides to get rid of multiple occupancies.

How The Northern Star broke the story on March 17.

THE concept of communal living may become a distant 1970s, flower-power memory if the Kyogle Council decides to get rid of multiple occupancies.

A report complied by councillors for next week’s council meeting addresses the pros and cons of allowing multiple occupancies in the Kyogle local government area.

Multiple occupancies (MOs) allow a number of people or families to share a piece of land including the rates, property value and roads.

“With regards to MOs council does have a policy for it but some have the opinion that it should not be allowed,” councillor Robert Dwyer said.

“I don’t really agree with that. We have to look at all of the levels of implications it may have with MO’s.

“It does create an alternative for people to have cheaper housing. People are looking for an alternative way of going about housing.

“It also may give the occupants a sense of security by knowing they have other people living in close proximity to them in isolated areas.”

Mr Dwyer acknowledges there are many people looking for a rural lifestyle who turn to communal living but he said there is not ‘an over abundance’.

The report said one problem was the rates MO’s pay may not cover the cost of council servicing the communities.

Councillor Lynette Zito said MO’s are also popular with carers.

“My concern is that we have an aging population in Kyogle and carers who are able to have accommodation near the person they are caring for is beneficial,” she said.

Originally published as Multiple occupancies under threat