REVEALED: $17m affordable housing project takes shape

A new community housing project in Bomaderry is one step closer to becoming reality after Southern Cross Housing submitted its application, closing out a lengthy consultation period.

The final design of a $16.8 million low-cost housing project on the state’s south coast has been revealed as developer Southern Cross Housing seeks to implement community feedback.

Spread over two, two-storey residential buildings, the new project will bring 39 affordable dwellings to Bomaderry, according to documents provided to Shoalhaven City Council.

The submission comes after a months-long consultation process between Southern Cross Housing and local community groups, including Pride of Bomaderry and Bomaderry Community Inc.

That feedback has informed the project’s final design, according to SCH, which also incorporated feedback from the Project Steering Committee of Council, a council-run body set up to guide the project.

The final design will be built between 44-52 Coomea St, Bomaderry, and will comprise 10 studio apartments, 17 one-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedroom apartments, and four three-bedroom apartments.

The final design of a $16.8 million low-cost housing project in Bomaderry has been revealed by developer Southern Cross Housing.

A communal space situated between the two buildings will include a BBQ area and a children’s playground, having been included in the final design despite community pushback.

According to design documents, the BBQ area was labelled “wasted space” in community feedback.

In response, SCH argued it would provide for a number of amenities, safely contained inside the complex.

“The communal open spaces are provided with a vast range of activities which are for safe and personal use by the occupants,” the documents state.

“This enables not only a secure place with overlooking from apartments but also a place that is easily accessed by persons with a disability or parents with prams which is not as desirable to the public parks in the area.”

The low-cost housing company responded to a range of community concerns in releasing the final design, including fears about the project’s cost and height.

“SCH will ensure the project delivers good value for money,” the documents stated.

“Our aim is to deliver good quality, safe, secure, and low maintenance housing.

“Restricting the proposal to two storeys in height has come about in response to the outcome of consultation with the local community. The local community sought to limit the height of the proposed development to two storeys to better reflect the height and scale of development within the locality.

Of the 39 units, 25 per cent will be for very low income groups and another 50 per cent for low income groups.

“To ensure the project objectives of providing a meaningful supply of affordable housing, the footprint of the development on the site has however been increased compared to what could have been achieved with a three-storey development.”

A number of other issues raised during the consultation relate to the prospective tenants who would occupy the units should they go ahead.

SCH stated in its application that not all its clients require support services.

“However, each tenant allocated to an SCH property will be referred to the appropriate support service if deemed appropriate or necessary,” the documents state.

“SCH networks with community service providers to assist tenants in sustaining their tenancies.”

The 39 units will be available to rent only, according to the documents, and not to purchase.

Of those units, 25 per cent will be for very low income groups, 50 per cent for low income groups, and 25 per cent for moderate income groups.

The design of the building will allow that make-up to be flexible, should it need to change in the future, according to the documents.

The project is awaiting council vetting before any construction can begin.