Port Macquarie: Plan reveals nearly half of new homes will be 400 sqm blocks, or less, by 2036
A 15-year plan outlining sustainable growth targets in Port Macquarie will see 40 per cent of all new dwellings built under 400 sq metres to help ease the squeeze on housing affordability.
Mid-North Coast
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The pursuit of the Australian dream will look a lot different for many new homeowners in 15 years time, with close to half of all new Port Macquarie properties to be built to 400 sq metres or less.
The new housing outlook for the region is outlined in a 2036 Regional Action Plan to guide the sustainable planning and management of Port Macquarie over the next 15 years.
It is a document that will shape the coastal city’s growth, in a bid to make it one of the best places to live, work and visit in Australia.
A significant component of the plan is creating more equitable housing for residents live within their means. An estimated 11,950 new homes will be needed to house Port Macquarie’s growing population by 2036, and more than 40 per cent of these will comprise of dwellings of 400 square metres or less.
This objective will be met with the assistance of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, who will look at suitable locations for increased housing density.
“As more people move to Port Macquarie, innovative planning and urban design can help deliver thriving, attractive, compatible and sustainable urban areas” the action plan states.
“This plan envisions a city where growth helps to build stronger communities, heightens our stewardship of the environment, leads to enhanced sense of place, quality streetscapes and is accompanied by greater social equity.
“To help achieve improved housing diversity, 40 per cent of new housing should be in the form of dual occupancies, apartments, townhouses, villas or dwellings on lots less than 400 square metres by 2036, and Council is to investigate suitable locations for increased housing density.
In 2016, the ABS National Land Survey Data revealed that the average Australian house had three bedrooms and the average block size was 474 sq metres.
Back then, the dream scenario, Realestate.com.au reported, was for a homeowner to live in a four bedroom, two bathroom configuration with a two-car garage on a 665 sq metre block that cost roughly $650,000.
Those dreams, however, seem to be rapidly eroding as ABS stats revealed the nation’s average home built in 2019-20 was just 235.8 sq metres.
But housing is only one component of the Port Macquarie Regional Action Plan 2036, which also includes ambitious targets to build a new health and educational precinct at Lake Innes.
It is proposed that the precinct operate as an active community hub that supports a mix of uses that increases jobs, delivers key services and attracts younger workers.
When built, the new hub will position Port Macquarie as a regional Centre of Excellence for Healthy Ageing and Wellbeing, that would provide a standard for other regional locations around the state to adopt or learn from.
Trialling and adopting automated buses, other automated vehicles, as well as e-bikes and mobility-service platforms, are also included in the plan.
Minister Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes released the final Port Macquarie Regional City Action Plan on Tuesday, stating it will ‘ensure a steady supply and mix of homes to cater for future population growth.’
“We know that housing affordability is a key issue affecting our regional cities, which is why we’ve included actions to ensure a steady supply and mix of homes to cater for future population growth,” Mr Stokes said.
“Over the next 15 years, an additional 11,600 people are expected to call Port Macquarie home, requiring more than 7,450 homes. “The plan will also help the council map out existing koala corridors as part of a local Koala Recovery Strategy.
“This will lead to the provision of more habitat and vegetation, and public space for the community to enjoy.”
Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said the final plan leverages the city’s position along the Pacific and Oxley highways to attract investment, encourage tourism and boost jobs.
“The Action Plan will strengthen initiatives, such as 550 new jobs for the Airport Business Park expansion and the creation of a Health and Education Precinct supported by better transport links,” Mrs Williams said.
“Work is already underway to improve connections with the Hastings River and beach foreshore, while our parks, public spaces and waterfront will be upgraded to create a greener, greater place to live.
“I’m delighted to see the plan is now finalised and we can get on with delivering a sustainable vision for the region.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson said the final plan responds directly to community feedback.
“The community made it loud and clear that protection of the natural environment, over development and transport issues were main concerns that need addressing,” Ms Pinson said.
“To drive a sustainable future, we’re selecting trees and shrubs that not only cool down built-up areas but provide habitat and food sources for native wildlife.
“Council will continue to review its planning rules to ensure the size and scale of new building developments stay consistent and compatible with their surroundings.”
You can download a copy of the Port Macquarie Regional Action Plan, here.
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