Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher says Council now has a practical path for assisting with the shire's housing crunch.
Councillors unanimously adopted The Eurobodalla Housing Strategy 2025 late last month. Mayor Hatcher says it uses all the levers available to Council to unlock more – and more affordable – homes.
"Housing affordability is plunging while demand soars, with prices surging ahead of wages and rental vacancies hovering at near zero. The numbers informing this housing strategy are stark – we need at least 500 affordable homes and another 150 supported accommodation places built in the next 15 years," says the Mayor.
"Housing largely remains a state responsibility – it's got the big levers. We can't build social housing or set state policy. But we're not sitting on our hands either," he says.
"Our strategy is pragmatic and it's data driven, focussing on the tools Council does have – planning, controls, infrastructure, and land supply – giving us a clear voice and a seat at the table without crossing boundaries into state territory."
Over the next five years, Council will encourage higher density development near town centres and make it easier to build a wider range of housing types, like secondary dwellings, dual occupancies, town houses and apartment living. The focus is on how we can increase housing diversity and make sure medium and higher density is done well.
Mayor Hatcher says an audit of Council-owned land to find sites suitable for community or affordable housing is already underway.
"For example, can we redevelop unused car parks, caravan parks and other public places for new home sites? Many are already close to schools, shops and services," he says.
Other actions in the strategy include the affordable housing contribution scheme, ensuring developers are doing their bit to create affordable housing, a dedicated affordable-housing officer position, and an affordable housing advisory group representing housing providers, local developers, and community groups.
"These first steps will set the foundation for the years ahead, creating a housing market that works for locals instead of locking them out," Mayor Hatcher says.
"Longer term, we continue to broaden housing diversity, keep increasing affordable-home supply and build environmental resilience into new developments. We directly link housing growth with infrastructure and transport planning, so new neighbourhoods are delivered with good roads and transport, utilities, and open space.
"It makes no difference if you are a young person starting out, a successful careerist, a single parent or someone looking to downsize - everyone deserves a secure home. This strategy uses all the tools we've got to make that happen here in our shire."
