‘It’s a crisis’: Bega and Eurobodalla councils scrambling to fix south coast housing crisis
South coast councils are taking things into their own hands as they scramble to deal with south coast housing crisis.
The South Coast News
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South coast councils are scrambling to combat the current housing crisis, as they take measures into their own hands.
With professionals forced to live in caravans as rental prices skyrocket at a rate higher than anywhere in NSW, and young families struggling to find a rental when leases run out, one council is looking at reducing the minimum property size for developments to spur construction.
A housing shortage and an influx of people from Sydney and Canberra who are able to work from home or seeking a lifestyle change due to the pandemic, have seen property prices head skyward and out of reach of many, including essential workers.
Bega Valley Shire Council is now planning to change minimum site areas for dwellings, multi dwelling housing and residential flats, in order to increase the housing supply.
Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said each town has its own needs, and a workshop will be held on Wednesday to help get councillors on the same page in approaching the issue.
Greens councillor Cathy Griff past a motion this month declaring the region has “a crisis in housing”, and that council look for “appropriate opportunities to encourage social and affordable future subdivisions developments”.
She welcomed council’s move as it would allow greater flexibility for developers, adding there is an opportunity for council to use the land it owns, and partner with housing providers.
She said consultant Judith Stubbs, who won awards for her Shoalhaven strategy, is helping ease the “wicked problem” of housing.
“The Shoalhaven has money and we don’t, but there’s a lot council can do,” she said.
“In the past it’s been only considered a state government issue, but I think that’s changed completely.
“It’s a crisis and needs to be a high priority for council. Council has land and they are responsible for planning regulations to a large degree.
“Everyone realises they have to be doing their bit.
“I want something tangible and fast to happen from this.”
She said one local disability service constructed housing for clients, but couldn’t find accommodation for staff.
Council’s Director of Community, Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said the current Local Environmental Plan does not allow for the types of development the region needs.
“By removing these barriers, more units and multi-dwelling housing could be built in our medium density residential and mixed-use zones,” Dr Howe said.
“It would also allow these houses to be built on existing blocks of land less than 550 square metres if connected to a sewer system.
“The benefits of the proposed changes would take some time to be realised but would support increased housing stock across the shire over time.”
Resident Graeme Freedman said it should be made easier for rural residents to build smaller buildings for multipurpose accommodation.
“This might be a low cost way of increasing both tourist and rental housing stock that will actually require little regulatory risk and result in shorter term policy success,” he said.
Fellow resident Mary Grealy said government and the private sector should look towards joint ventures to accommodate “all income brackets”.
“I know some LGAs are trying to reduce short stay holiday accommodation – but not sure how that is enforced, and not sure if that’s fair,” she said.
According to data from Everybody’s Home, a national campaign against homelessness, an essential care or service worker on the south coast would need to spend between one third and two-thirds of normal working week’s wages on rent.
The planned Cherry Blossom Village Cobargo estate, which will host small developer-built and mobile homes, has divided the bushfire ravaged town of Cobargo, with some residents saying it will spoil the town.
Local publican David Allen said residents are sleeping in his laundry because they have nowhere to sleep, and an internal poll by The South Coast News found 86 per cent of readers want the estate to go ahead.
Batemans Bay real estate agent and former developer and local councillor Joe Smith said he receives regular letters from women with children living on the street pleading with him to be approved for a rental property.
Along the south coast, developers are looking at targeting released land around West Culburra Manyana, Broulee, Tuross Head and Dalmeny.
Eurobodalla Shire Council is planning to tackle the crisis by pushing through the sale of a 40-hectare block of pristine bush near the ocean.
News of the sale saw the creation of community group Dalmeny Matters, who have started a petition to have the sale stopped.
“We are a small seaside village of less than 2,000 people and believe that we deserve to have our say on mass development and clearing of our much loved bushland,” the group said.
Resident Sue Fahey described the situation as “difficult”.
“We need more rental and affordable housing to provide somewhere for our workforce to live,” she said.
“Can we guarantee that if this goes ahead, that there will be rental property for workforce?
“Will there be affordable housing for young couples to buy?
“We still need holiday housing and holiday rental because we are a tourist town and tourism is what keeps our hospitality businesses viable and jobs for our workforce.”
“If it ends up being a new estate with vacant land for sale, what ‘average’ earning local can afford it anyway,” resident Karen Wort said.
Eden-Monaro Labor MP, and former Bega Mayor, Kristy McBain said the issue is at “crisis point”.
“This isn’t about developers getting access to more land – it is about making sure there are incentives and an ability for our developers to work with community to fulfil a desperate need in our community,” she said.
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