Shoalhaven affordable housing development in limbo

A decision on a proposal to build 56 affordable housing units in a town which currently has just a single rental property available has been deferred over a carpark.

Plans to build affordable housing units in the northern Shoalhaven have been marked for denial by staff, with a development application for 56 units at South Nowra now referred to local councillors.

The proposal to build 10 one-bedroom and 46 two-bedroom units on Old Southern Road in South Nowra was mentioned at the Shoalhaven City Council development committee meeting on Tuesday.

Plans to build affordable housing in Nowra will be debated by Shoalhaven councillors.

A recommendation by council staff to oppose the plan wasn’t automatically accepted, with the development now going to debate at the ordinary meeting of council later this month.

Dr Judith Stubbs, who worked on the council’s affordable housing strategy, will address councillors on the South Nowra plans at the meeting.

Councillor Patricia White said there was just a single rental house in Nowra at the moment, and there were “many people” who are looking for affordable housing.

“If we are going to have an affordable housing policy we need to stick by that policy and implement it,” she said.

“A lot of people are asking about affordable housing and what council can do. Here is something that could help people, and yet we have councillors saying they don’t like it.”

All proposed units would be self-contained, built in three blocks standing two storeys high with a lift and stairs. Parking for 79 vehicles, as well as a community hub, village green, outdoor amenities, barbecue area and outdoor seating is also included.

“Those most likely to benefit from the affordability offered by the proposed development are key workers and entry-level professionals on low and moderate income, young people seeking to enter the housing market, retirees and older people seeking to free up capital in an existing home through downsizing,” a report included in the development application said.

More than 50 units are proposed for the Old Southern Road site in South Nowra.

“Increasing, the supply of affordable rental housing and other types of low-cost housing to meet existing and future needs of the community is a strategic planning objective of Shoalhaven City Council as set out in its affordable housing strategy.”

However, the open carpark is a point of contention for staff who list it as a security concern.

“Given the wide expanse of on-grade parking proposed, opportunities for CCTV coverage of the entire carparking area are minimal,” a report to council reads.

Part of the proposed development also sits within an E2 Environmental Conservation Zone which is a fire trail.

An artist impression of the proposed affordable housing development, which council staff have recommended be denied with concern raised over car park safety.

Councillor White said adding garages or underground carparking would add to the cost of the development, and therefore unit sale prices.

“There’s many different types of affordable housing, and when you start adding garages and other features into these building, they no longer become affordable,” she said.

“We need to ask the community if this type of development is affordable and are they happy to have that type of housing in Nowra so we can accommodate people looking for accommodation.”

A community consultation period on the project has already been completed, with no objections made to the council.