Lack of affordable housing raised after Woolooware development’s likely refusal

Amid a rental crisis, a community housing provider has questioned a Sydney council’s commitment to providing affordable housing after deeming a development ‘unsuitable’.

A community housing provider is seeking approval for 12 units, where six will be designated for  those who cannot afford market level rent, located at 1 Panorama Ave, Woolooware. Picture: Pacific Community Housing

A community housing provider has questioned Sutherland Shire Council’s commitment to providing affordable accommodation after it recommended a proposal for a three-storey building for low-income earners be refused.

Pacific Community Housing lodged plans with council for a three-storey building with 12 units, where six will be designated for those who cannot afford market level rent and managed by the community housing provider, at 1 Panorama Ave, Woolooware.

The Sutherland Shire Local Planning Panel will review the application on July 18 with a report from council officers recommending it be refused because the building is “too large for the site” and will negatively affect the surrounding neighbourhood.

The recommendation comes despite the report stating more affordable housing options were needed in the Sutherland Shire, and that council officers were supportive of affordable housing, particularly close to public transport.

At the end of April, there were only 285 rental listings in the Sutherland Shire, with prices ranging from $380 per week to $3773.

An aerial view of the site location next to Woolooware train station. Picture: Pacific Community Housing

There were only five rental listings that were affordable for households earning less than $1500 per week and up to $78,000 per year; and for households in the $1500-$1999 weekly income bracket, there were only 35 affordable properties. The benchmark for affordable housing is 30 per cent of gross income.

Pacific Community Housing director Matthew Daniel said the bottom line of addressing the rental crisis was “more dwellings need to be approved across the shire”.

“More affordable rental housing will ease the pressure on both the rental market and the households that are renting,” he said. “Every day we see that young people, those on lower incomes are being forced to move away from their local area because they cannot afford to stay.

“Just because you do not have rich parents should not exclude you from having a place to live in your community. That growing problem is a direct result of there not being enough affordable housing.

“The council staff state they seek to support new affordable housing but our experience shows they do not.”

Mr Daniel has questioned where affordable housing can be built, considering council’s recommended refusal.

Council staff said the proposal failed to satisfy requirements of density, bulk and scale, landscaping, traffic and parking and compliance with planning regulations including building height.

The site is adjacent to Woolooware train station and commuters park in Panorama Ave, which has single-storey dwellings and one two storey townhouse development.

Residents raised concerns, shared by the council, about no parking provided in the development, despite it not being required under affordable housing regulations.

“This is a small scheme closely located to transport, being 8m from a train station,” Mr Daniel said. “The project seeks to promote public and active transport options for future tenants.”

Mr Daniel relies on two “site compatibility certificate” which were issued by a Department of Planning secretary, and permits a residential flat building earmarked for affordable housing to be built in zoning where it is usually prohibited.

He said the certificate assessed the proposed building height, bulk and scale as compatible with the surrounding development.

Mr Daniel said the certificates provided clarification about the council’s concerns and was disappointed the council’s report to the planning panel did not detail the points raised in the certificates.

“Despite the council having a policy to work with community housing providers, unfortunately our requests to meet with assessment staff at council to discuss the application has been rejected,” he said.

A spokesman said the council was currently developing a housing strategy which will outline targets for the provision of affordable housing.

“Council recognises the importance of ensuring quality, affordable housing is included as a vital part of the housing development mix across the Sutherland Shire,” he said.

“It is equally important that affordable housing is delivered as part of quality, well designed development which is in keeping with the character of the surrounding community in each area in which it is planned.

“Consultation was held between council staff and the proponents of the development; and whilst a number of issues were raised with the applicant, amendments were not forthcoming,” he said.

“These reasons for refusal relate to the proposal not satisfying the requirements in the state government issued site compatibility certificate, noncompliance with the State Environment Planning Policy for Affordable Rental Housing and apartment designs that were deemed to provide low amenity to prospective residents.”