Cobargo residents outraged by new post-bushfire tiny homes development

Reidents are outraged by a proposed estate to help bushfire-ravaged Cobargo, saying it ‘clashes’ with their village lifestyle, despite people forced to sleep in the pub’s laundry due to the housing crisis.

A south coast town hit hard by the Black Summer bushfires and suffering an ongoing housing crisis is divided over plans to build a 21-manufactured home estate.

Cobargo pub owner David Allen has blamed “ignorant town gossip” for community backlash against the development.

Mr Allen watched the town burn before his eyes as the Badja Forest bushfire tore through Cobargo on New Year’s Eve 2019, claiming the lives of three people, including Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63.

The estate is earmarked for a parcel of land behind the pub, which Mr Allen said was part of the pub until 2004, but has since been bought and sold a number of times and remains “dormant”.

The Cherry Blosson Village Cobargo is earmarked for a vacant lot behind the Cobargo Pub. Picture: Panelup

“We’ve got people sleeping in our laundry here because they have nowhere to sleep, and this is a quick and low-cost way for us to rebuild,” Mr Allen said.

“We have no housing and people are saying this will turn into a ghetto, which is just horse s***.

“I’ve lost a chef and two bar staff because they were forced to move away because they had nowhere to stay.

“It’s a chronic problem. I really struggle with people criticising the development.”

The planned Cherry Blossom Village Cobargo estate, which will host small developer-built and mobile homes, will target retirees, small families and single people, and will offer 20-year leases.

The project has been assisted by former Bega Valley Shire Council planner Garret Barry, who described the plans as “tasteful” and “elegant”, with driveways, verandas, patios, landscaping and an Indigenous welcome garden.

Cobargo Hotel owner David Allen says the development is needed for the town to rebuild.

Cobargo resident Martin Hogenboom is building a home next to the proposed development and said it may devalue surrounding properties and will “detract from the village lifestyle” of the town.

“Yes, we need accommodation in the area. However, should the provision of that accommodation detract from the village lifestyle or should it add to it?” he said.

“I feel this detracts. Furthermore, this type of development invariably devalues adjoining properties.

“I may be being selfish but I believe no property owner wants to see the value of their property take a hit because of something the neighbour does.”

Fellow resident Ellie Bead said “most” of the community are against the development.

“Housing density for over 50s, and people living in close proximity causes issues,” resident Gabrielle Powell said.

Cobargo is slowly rebuilding after the devastating summer bushfires, but many shops still remain closed. Picture: Alasdair McDonald

“This is a residential living development so there is a need for more jobs and training, health and mental health facilities and providers.

“(Building) by the river could cause run off and other environmental issues.”

Resident Peter Logue called the estate a “money grab” by developers.

“We should be pushing hard for proper, government funded, long term social housing,” he said.

The estate’s developer Darren Klower said he can understand “some of the concerns” being raised by residents.

Developer Darren Klower said the estate is part of a ‘legacy’ he wants to leave behind. Picture: Panelup

“The intention is to get the planning right before we even put units on there,” he said.

“Some people may have a conception it will be small tin sheds, but that’s not true.

“I’ll be partnering with a quality building provider, and the focus is on quality.

“I have my name on it, so it’s got to be done right, and it will be a boost for the economy.

“This is a part of my legacy I want to leave behind.”

The town’s main street will soon be rebuilt, and Mr Allen said accommodation for workers is needed before the work can begin.

“We need workers with skills to help rebuild because we don’t have enough here,” he said.

“The main street won’t change until we get younger workers here, but they need accommodation.”