Social housing projects could go ahead this year
DETAILS of social housing proposals at Wonthaggi North and Cowes have been revealed after much anticipation.
During late 2021, Bass Coast Shire made available unused road reserves for Community Housing Victoria Limited (CHVL) to explore social housing developments.
Subsequently, CHVL progressed with sites near Henry Street West, Henry Street East and Ivor Street in Wonthaggi North, and between Wyndham Avenue and Roydon Road, Cowes.
The projects form part of the State Government’s $5.3B Big Housing Build, which included $25 million for the Bass Coast.
Residents within 50 metres of the sites were notified of the consultation period, which is running from March 16 to April 6.
According to CHVL, as part of the Big Housing Build, project
s creating less than 30 houses are consulted on for a period of three weeks.
Housing details
The subject site at Wonthaggi North consists of three sections of undeveloped road reserve (George Street), that run from north to south and are separated by roads and rear laneways.
The proposal could see the construction of nine single storey dwellings with each dwelling to have two bedrooms, an open plan kitchen, living and dining area, bathroom and an area of private open space.
One car parking space will be provided per dwelling, with vehicle access provided via a single shared driveway.
While at Cowes, five single storey dwellings within an area of unused road reserve between Roydon Road and Wyndham Avenue are proposed.
The project will provide accommodation for low income households.
The shire is undertaking a road closure process to enable the developments.
According to CHVL, once this process is complete and if the proposed development receives planning approval, CHVL will enter into a 30-year ground lease with the shire and be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the development for the duration of the lease.
The application will be submitted to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), with the responsible authority for determining the application the Minister for Planning.
The houses are scheduled to commence construction in late 2023, with completion expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2024
.
Resident concern
A nearby resident had written to the Sentinel-Times expressing their ‘dismay’ over the development at Wonthaggi North.
They stated they believed after carefully considering purchasing their current property, they now face a ‘loss in welfare; property value and peace of mind.’
“To discover the neighbourhood has to accommodate a three-unit block of community housing, tripling vehicle traffic; urban noise; sewer discharge and refuse collection is being proposed,” the resident stated.
“Having a green space close to our home is one of the reasons the property was appealing, the cul-de-sac meant there would be minimal traffic.
“This will be one of the few green spaces remaining once the 5000 proposed homes are built as part of the Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan.”
During mid-2022, a number of residents also contacted the Sentinel-Times relaying their fears, believing the location was unsuitable for housing and areas such as the former college site would better suited.
To view the developments, visit chl.org.au/about-us/our-developments/
