Luxury homes planned for Batemans Bay anger residents calling for affordable housing

Residents in a NSW south coast town have slammed $5.5m plans for luxury houses, saying the town is in desperate need of affordable homes.

Artist’s impression of the houses.

Locals are speaking out against plans for a luxury residential complex in their NSW south coast town, urging developers to construct affordable housing.

The backlash from community members angry about another “unaffordable housing solution” comes after Perth-based development firm, Meraki Constructions, proposed a luxury apartment and housing complex for 6-8 Old Princes Hwy, Batemans Bay, with an estimated construction price tag of $5,579,950.

Concerned Batemans Bay residents spoke to this publication on the town’s need for affordable housing, rather than large-scale buildings which could cost millions of dollars once complete.

“We have a growing population down here which is only increasing prices,” resident Stephen Marcus said.

“I rent and I am trying to buy a property, but it seems as if prices are just going up and not coming down.

If approved, the houses will be built at 6-8 Old Princes Hwy, Batemans Bay.

“Getting a decent house in, not just Batemans Bay, but the Eurobodalla below $800k is near impossible.”

Resident Katherine Walker agreed, stating her adult children were stressed they would be in the rental market forever.

“It’s so competitive out there,” she said.

“I’m a retiree and I was lucky to buy my house when I did, but my kids – I really worry for them.”

Another resident, Mark Donald, said the housing shortage would not be addressed with an “unaffordable housing solution”.

“Build affordable apartments, or have the government’s Build to Rent scheme come to the bay,” he said.

The luxury apartments, if approved by the Eurobodalla Council, would include six four bedroom modern buildings on the vacant blocks.

Plans state the houses would also include open plan living, kitchen and dining, bathroom and laundry, a rumpus room and a double garage.

Similar luxury houses were recently constructed and sold in Broulee – a small beachside village 21km south of Batemans Bay – for around $1.4m.

Similar houses recently built and sold in Broulee for more than $1m.

Eurobodalla Council previously voted in favour of its draft housing strategy, a plan which outlines how the regional area can increase its housing supply through high rise apartments in built up areas and the creation of more rural housing within new subdivisions.

The plan also discusses how constructing more residential dwellings could decrease house prices.

Eurobodalla mayor Mathew Hatcher previously told this publication that housing supply was one of his main priorities coming into his new term.

Eurobodalla mayor Mathew Hatcher.

“In an area like ours, housing is so important because we’ve seen quite a number of people moving to the area for a sea change, downsize, retirement, whatever it may be,” he said.

“So we need the infrastructure to support this population growth.”

The luxury apartments for 6-8 Old Princes Hwy, Batemans Bay, currently sit on public exhibition on the council’s website until December 6.

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