Shire needs almost 10,000 more dwellings to accommodate growth

BASS Coast Shire has released its long-awaited Neighbourhood Character Study, Housing Strategy, and Residential Development Framework which could set the future of the shire’s growth.
With the population expected to grow to almost 50,000 residents by 2036, the demand will see the need for almost 10,000 additional dwellings. 
The more than 100-page Bass Coast Residential Market, Demand and Supply Assessment report, undertaken by Urban Enterprise, was unveiled at last week’s council meeting, with councillors adopting the strategies and assessments. 

According to shire documents, the Neighbourhood Character Study involves a detailed assessment of neighbourhood character in Bass Coasts residential areas and the preparation of preferred character objectives, and design guidelines that will guide the character of new residential developments.  

The Housing Strategy will be a long-term plan to manage housing growth and change across all residential areas in Bass Coast. It will identify what housing needs are required, where housing growth will take place and changes to residential density.

While the Residential Development Framework will balance the outputs of the Housing Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study to identify minimal, incremental, and substantial change areas for all residential settlements. 

The three strategies will also build on the state government’s State Government’s draft Statement of Planning Policy, as part of the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes project.

The draft policy proposes changes to the settlement role / categorisation of several towns as well as the introduction of ‘Protected Settlement Boundaries’ to all settlements.

The report indicates that 534 – 656 additional dwellings will be required per year over the next 15 years, with the overall capacity of residential zoned land in Bass Coast townships suitable for occupation by new dwellings estimated to be 4952 lots.

The Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) area (specifically the land that is still within the Farming Zone), was identified as possibly increasing the overall capacity of residential land by an additional 3373 lots.  

The PSP will guide the development of a new growth area in Wonthaggi, and identify what infrastructure is needed to support the growing community, such as roads and community facilities, and land for employment and retail.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) had prepared a draft amendment to the Bass Coast Planning Scheme to include the PSP as an incorporated document. 

Tranche 1 of the Wonthaggi North East PSP Standing Advisory Committee Hearing concluded on April 16, 2021, while Tranche 2 of the hearing concluded on June 23, 2022. The Standing Advisory Committee is preparing to submit to the VPA.

Approval by the Minister for Planning is expected in late 2022, followed by the finalisation of the plan.

It is estimated in the report that more than one-third of the existing housing stock is used primarily to accommodate non-residents, including holiday homes and holiday rentals, and the number of active listings for holiday rentals (including Airbnb) has increased strongly in recent years.

While the median house price in Bass Coast during 2021 was $699,000, growing from $540,000 in 2020, with the highest medians currently in Inverloch ($890,500), Cowes ($876,500), Kilcunda ($870,000) and San Remo ($850,000).

“The mainland is projected to accommodate the majority of population and dwelling growth over the next 15 years, with substantial growth projected in Wonthaggi, Inverloch and the Waterline townships,” the report states.

“Once the Wonthaggi North East PSP is finalised, Wonthaggi is estimated to have in excess of 38 years of land supply, while some parts of the municipality such as Cowes, Phillip Island overall and

Inverloch are likely to have less than 10 years of supply available.

“Once the Wonthaggi North East PSP is approved, the market segment seeking regional centre housing will be well catered for if this new land can be efficiently and cost effectively brought to the market by developers. It is important that a variety of housing types are delivered in Wonthaggi.”

Have your say

The shire has begun community consultation with feedback closing on Friday, September 16, 2022.

In-person sessions will be held on:

Friday 26 August 2022 11:00 am – 01:00 pm- Inverloch Community Hub

Saturday 27 August 2022 09:30 am – 11:30 am- St Philip’s Anglican Church, Cowes

Saturday 27 August 2022 01:30 pm – 03:30 pm- San Remo Recreation Reserve

For more information and to provide feedback online, visit engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/neighbourhoodcharacterhousing