THE member for Narracan reportedly believes that the return of the Cape Paterson town boundary to Seaward Drive blocks ‘affordable homes’ and impacts housing supply – tell him he’s dreaming! This confected outrage is not about affordability, housing supply or ‘flawed processes’ – it’s much more likely that his comments reflect the views of those who were lured by the potential financial rewards of coastal proximity to speculate on the possible rezoning of Cape Paterson farming land.
The local community, and those who visit here for recreation, know and observe daily that, as enshrined in the final draft SPP, Cape Paterson is a fragile area of outstanding environmental significance that needs protection for future generations.
Yes, affordable housing is desperately needed in Bass Coast but it’s completely inappropriate in Cape Paterson given its location, limited infrastructure and that it has none of the services families need every single day.
It’s a complete fabrication that affordable housing will ever happen in Cape Paterson where houses are at least 20 per cent more expensive than in Wonthaggi, and where holiday homes predominate.
Domain lists $790k as the median price for a three-bedroom home in Cape Paterson and in Wonthaggi it’s $500k – so where’s the ‘affordability’?
Curiously, Wonthaggi is never marketed as the thriving important coastal regional town it is, with all the services required for affordable living, a wide variety of available housing lots – and it’s only 10 or 15 minutes from the coast.
After years of research and consultation, one outcome of the SPP Standing Committee deliberations in 2023 was the commissioning of reports on three Bass Coast settlements to address matters raised in the hearings. The Cape Paterson report, by the independent landscape assessment firm Peter Haack Consulting, concluded that the dunes north of Seaward Drive were of significance and worthy of preservation, with those findings adding weight to other comprehensive research on the environmental values of the area. Council determined that development north of Seaward Drive was not required to support municipal housing needs and called for the return of the town boundary. The Department of Planning also conducted an additional consultation in 2024 and found that 90 per cent of respondents supported the return of the boundary to Seaward Drive (1188 in total responded).
Recently, the Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Halstead, warmly welcomed the draft final SPP. After Council consideration (and acceptance by other local relevant authorities) it requires signature by the Governor in Council and gazetting after which it will be immediately operational in the Bass Coast Planning Scheme – a milestone that the Cape Paterson community, and others who really know this significant place, will no doubt also warmly welcome.
Cheryl Padgett, Cape Paterson
