Southern Cross Housing: $21m plan to end housing wait times in Bega

A $21m plan to end wait times for social housing in a far south coast town has entered its second phase of public exhibition. Here’s what the community thinks.

The development would include 60 social housing homes.

Residents have shared their thoughts on a plan to fix the dire need for more social housing on the far south coast as wait times climb up to 10 years.

The solution comes by way of a $21m apartment complex on Rawlinson St Bega, with the proposal by Southern Cross Housing entering its second public exhibition following weeks of community submissions in January.

The plans have also been submitted to the NSW Regional Planning Panel, which will have a final say on the proposal due to its estimated price tag.

If approved by the state government body and the Bega Valley Shire Council, it will mean 60 new social housing homes, consisting of one, two and three bedroom studios and duplexes.

Residents asked to have their say on the development have given nothing but praise, saying it will help ease the need for social housing in Bega.

Artist impression of the proposal.

“I think this is a great thing for the town,” resident Michael Flenning submitted.

“We have a big need for affordable and social housing in Bega and this will help solve this.”

Bega Valley Shire Council mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick.

Bega Valley Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick previously said the proposal was “needed”.

He also urged the state government to give the project the tick as quickly as possible.

“A quick approval would be great,” he said.

Southern Cross Housing deputy chief executive officer Eric Coulter said the social housing proposal came at a time when wait times for social housing in the region were as long as 10 years.

Southern Cross Housing deputy chief executive officer, Eric Coulter.

The Southern Cross Housing website reveals wait times are between five and 10 years for studio apartments to a two-bedroom home.

Mr Coulter said the long wait times meant the proposal had been welcomed by the community.

“We held a public meeting which was well-attended and will continue to consult, especially with our neighbours when the DA goes through council,” he said.

“There is an invisible group of people being affected by skyrocketing rents.

“Thankfully things are slowing down and will stabilise but rents are not expected to go down.”

Local Keiran Hill also welcomed the idea.

“More social housing is a great thing, especially with such a need in Bega,” he said.

Douglas Birch agreed, noting it was “about time”.

“Wait times are too long,” he said.

“Like most in the community I suspect, I fully support this development.”

The second public exhibition phase for the Bega development will end early next year when the NSW Regional Planning Panel will discuss the plans.

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