Queenscliff Community Health Centre redevelopment: Questions over affordable housing promise
The community has raised questions over Landcom’s affordable housing promise after it officially took ownership of the former Queenscliff Community Health Centre site last week.
Manly
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Landcom’s plans to transform the “disused” Queenscliff Community Health Centre into a residential unit development with affordable housing has been met with criticism.
The 4000sq m site on the corner of Pittwater Rd and Lakeside Crescent in Queenscliff, is proposed to be repurposed into 37 apartments.
While residents don’t seem fussed about the design or even the introduction of 37 units, the concern is around Landcom’s affordable housing promise.
It comes after Landcom announced it had taken ownership of the building last week, with a key focus to provide affordable housing for older women on the northern beaches.
John Brogden, Landcom’s chief executive is a northern beaches resident and the former member for Pittwater.
Mr Brogden said as a local he supports affordable housing for the vulnerable.
“With preparation works now completed by NSW Health, Landcom is thrilled to have secured the site in order to repurpose this well-located building into a residential development that will have a key focus for providing affordable housing units for older women in need,” Mr Brogden said.
“Landcom is aware of the local 1500 women aged 55 and over in the Northern Beaches who are in housing stress due to family breakdown, underemployment, and a lack of superannuation, so we would welcome Community Housing Providers that cater to this group to tender to partner with us on this project.”
Residents pointed out the promise only includes a minimum of five to 10 per cent of affordable rental housing out of 37 apartments.
The topic was discussed in a community group on Facebook.
“Really? Minimum 10 per cent affordable housing? That would be three or four units, not exactly a huge contribution,” one resident wrote.
Another resident expressed similar views: “Why not 40 per cent plus affordable housing and some social housing as well - this is our land - let’s get a real community benefit. How many of our essential workers have to travel for hours to get to their work in Manly? Many of the aged care workers travel up to five hours a day on their return journey.”
Meanwhile, other concerns were expressed about parking.
“I feel sorry for the local residents. Those quiet streets will be full of cars that don’t have a parking space in the new development,” a northern beaches resident stated.
In response a Landcom spokesman said: “Landcom has a target to provide a minimum of five to 10 per cent affordable and diverse housing across all of its projects. Through its partnership with the preferred community housing provider tenderer, Landcom will seek to optimise the level of affordable housing delivered on the Queenscliff site.”
The spokesman also responded to concerns about parking.
“Landcom’s development will comply with the planning provisions that address parking requirements. The Queenscliff development is also very well located near public transport options along nearby Pittwater Road.”
Northern Beaches councillor David Walton said he applauded Landcom for taking a sustainable approach to building but had higher hopes for more affordable housing.
“We would have preferred more than a 10 per cent minimum, however I acknowledge Landcom are a state owned corporation, therefore profit is not the motive but they have to not work at a loss and be commercial on their decision making,” Cr Walton said.
“They have to make the sale of properties pay for affordable housing that will be handed to communities.”
As a Queenscliff resident he said he was aware of existing parking issues.
“I will push for negotiations on parking so that it doesn’t have a negative impact on residents.”
Landcom has stated the redevelopment will have “significant sustainability benefits” due to the adaptive reuse of the building rather than the demolition of the existing building.
Landcom has submitted a development application to the council.
It is proposed that the site will be subdivided into three residential lots for market sale, with the fourth lot reserved for the adaptive reuse of the former Community Health Centre.