Affordable housing ‘key’ to planned Anglesea hub redevelopment

Draft plans for a “vitally important” Anglesea precinct have been released for feedback, with affordable housing a priority. SEE THE PLANS.

An artist's depiction of the affordable housing “clusters” at the proposed Anglesea Community and Health Hub under the draft plan. Picture: Surf Coast Shire Council

Affordable housing is at the centre of a $200,000 draft plan to redevelop Anglesea’s ageing community and health hub, endorsed by Surf Coast Shire Council on Tuesday night.

The draft plan revealed the McMillan St precinct’s new design, which included a two-storey combined community and health centre and provisions for 19 affordable homes in two “clusters”, comprised of five three-bedroom townhouses, eight one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments.

The proposed layout of the Anglesea Community and Health Hub.

The precinct plan is funded by a state government grant, and is supported by Barwon Health, Regional Development Victoria and Homes Victoria, among others.

After being endorsed by the council, the draft plan will now go before the community to gain feedback.

In moving the motion, deputy mayor Mike Bodsworth said the feedback stage was about producing the “outcomes the community expects” from a “very, very special place”.

“It’s very much a multi-generational precinct, there would be three to four generations of users on the site on any given day of the week,” he said. “It’s a collaborative project.”

Councillor Gary Allen said it was one project the council could “not let stumble or fail”, while Libby Stapleton said the hub was “vitally important” for Anglesea and said she hoped the inclusion of housing would help the services on the site remain viable.

At present, the 1.6ha hub precinct is home to multiple community groups and agencies.

It delivers a range of community, early years and health services and programs, including Anglesea Medical, a community hall and kindergarten, senior citizens club and Barwon Health social service.

An artist's depiction of the Anglesea Community and Health Hub.

Audits of the current hub found that several buildings were “failing or nearing the end of their structural life” while others were not fit-for-purpose at all.

Upon establishing the project earlier this year, the shire identified housing as a “key aspect” of the project, and the site was assessed as more suitable for housing than other council-owned land.

“A survey of Surf Coast Shire businesses indicated that many businesses in Anglesea

are unable to attract and retain workers due to a lack of affordable and available

accommodation,” council officers wrote.

“Many employees are having to make lengthy commutes to their jobs in Anglesea.

“Businesses who cannot find staff are having to reduce their hours of operation which

impacts their income and makes it harder for residents to access a range of shops and

services locally.”

The permanent population of Anglesea is just over 3,200 people, swelling to 16,000 people over summer, exacerbating staffing issues.

As part of the plan, the Anglesea Memorial Hall, ambulance station, community garden and Rangi Marie building in the precinct would remain untouched.

The motion was passed unanimously. The feedback period will close on November 29.

Originally published as Affordable housing ‘key’ to planned Anglesea hub redevelopment