Location not right for social housing, residents say

WONTHAGGI North residents are up in arms after becoming aware of a proposal to develop social housing at Henry East and West Streets.

Following a council resolution last year, the shire made available surplus road reserve land for the provision of social housing.

Community Housing Limited and Salvation Army Housing were then invited to determine which sites they would pursue for development.

Initially, more than 10 sites were identified throughout Wonthaggi, however, Community Housing Limited indicated earlier this year they would proceed with the locations at Wonthaggi North, including Ivor Street.

Resident spokesperson, Debra, said they only became aware of the proposal in recent weeks and were not informed by the shire when they made the surplus reserve land available.

She said residents believe the location is unsuitable for social housing and they had fears that it could impact their neighbourhood negatively.

“Everyone needs a place to live, that’s fine, but we’ve got our fair share of community housing,” Debra said.

“There are plenty of other places (in Wonthaggi) that they could build community housing.

“There’s the (former college) school that’s vacant, they have space towards White Road and Cape Paterson Road.

“So why would they want to bunch them all up in a place where it’s peaceful?”

Debra also highlighted concerns about how the development could affect the streets’ road, as the two streets are separated by a no through road section.

She said residents are worried this could be removed to create main road access, increasing traffic and creating hazards for children.

“This also means our properties will be devalued significantly,” she added.

The proposal forms part of the state government’s Big Housing Build, which included a ‘guaranteed’ minimum investment of $25m for Bass Coast.

During October last year, the government released the Social Housing Growth Fund Regional Round grant program, with community housing organisations urged to apply for regional developments. Bass Coast was identified as a priority area.

As part of the Regional Round, the dwellings must be able to be commenced no later than June 2023 and completed by June 2025.

“If Community Housing Limited is successful in their funding bid from the Big Housing Build program, as part of their application for approval, they must prepare a report that summarises the consultation undertaken, feedback received, and explains how the feedback has been considered and responded to,” a council spokesperson said.

“Please note that for the applications delivering housing under the Big Housing Build Program, the responsible authority is not council, but the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change.”