Affordable housing development for women approved by MidCoast Council at Forster

A three-storey affordable housing project aimed specifically at single women has been greenlit for a Mid-North Coast town, but a special request from the developer has been knocked back.

An artist impression of the project.

A three-storey affordable housing development for single women has been approved at Forster.

The project was given the tick of approval at this week’s MidCoast Council meeting, with mayor Claire Pontin praising the “very worthy development”.

For years, the number of homeless women in regional NSW has been climbing, with domestic and family violence one of the main factors.

Sydney-based community housing developer Common Equity NSW is behind the proposal which went before the council on Wednesday.

Chief executive officer Nick Sabel said the organisation has similar co-operative housing developments in the Tuncurry and Forster areas that have operated successfully for about a decade.

Common Equity manages more than 500 properties in 25 local government areas statewide.

It’s model provides long-term housing for people on a low income, but is “more inclusive and community driven” than some social housing arrangements.

Two older homes will be bulldozed to make way for the new development.

Mr Sabel said the co-op model was not everybody’s “cup of tea” but he has been reaching out to Mid-North Coast service providers in the background to identify suitable candidates.

The project will result in the demolition of two older homes at 64-66 Short St. They will be bulldozed to make way for the development a few streets back from Wallis Lake, which is et to include four one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments.

The site on Short St is a short walk to Wallis Lake.

Common Equity asked MidCoast Council to waive about $93,000 of development contribution fees, but councillors rejected that application.

“We can ill afford to set this precedent – it will hurt us drastically,” councillor Alan Tickle said.

Councillor Jeremy Miller agreed and said contributions were not an “optional thing” and were vital to support the provision of community assets like roads and parks.

“It’s actual money, that goes to the actual community, for actual work,” he said.

MidCoast Council Mayor Claire Pontin and colleagues ticked off the project.

Each apartment in the Short St build is due to include private kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.

A common room is planned for the ground floor, but the development is not deemed a “co-living” situation, given the self-contained nature of the housing.

The ground floor is due to include an entrance foyer, common room and carparking for ten vehicles (including two accessible spaces), with the remaining two floors used for the apartments, each with their own veranda.

The maximum height of the building is 12.35 metres, which does not exceed the area limit.

Got a news tip? Email: [e-mail]