Wollongong Council has endorsed the development of a Planning Proposal to increase housing supply in Gwynneville, including provisions that would see social and affordable housing make up 50 per cent of a potential 1200 new homes.
Council resolved on 25 November to prepare a Planning Proposal at the request of Homes NSW, which currently owns 75 of 134 lots in the precinct bound by Irvine and Madoline Streets, the Wollongong Botanic Garden and Murphys Avenue, Gwynneville.
The area is currently zoned Low Density residential under the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009, with the Planning Proposal request seeking to amend planning controls to enable medium density residential development.
The Gwynneville precinct, initially developed for social housing in the 1950s, is one of a number in Wollongong targeted for renewal by Homes NSW as it looks to address future social housing needs.
With more than 7000 dwellings, the Wollongong Local Government Area has the third largest supply of social housing in NSW. Homes NSW owns 56 per cent of lots in the identified Gwynneville precinct.
However, waiting lists for social housing stretch beyond 10 years, with the aging properties no longer meeting the needs of Homes NSW clients. The Planning Proposal offers the opportunity to renew a residential precinct with more modern social housing, affordable rental housing and private market housing.
The proposal to increase overall housing supply, and the commitment from Homes NSW that 50 per cent of all new dwellings will be provided as social or affordable rental through its own development precinct is consistent with Council's Housing Strategy. The additional requirement for 10 per cent of private market housing to be allocated to affordable rental housing is over and above that commitment and is consistent with Council's Affordable Housing Policy adopted in August this year.
A preliminary notification period provided the opportunity for residents, community groups and relevant state agencies to have initial input into the process. The feedback has resulted in Homes NSW amending the proposal into one that has greater implementation feasibility, including funding necessary infrastructure upgrades.
Having been supported by Council, the Planning Proposal will now be referred to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for review and a Gateway determination to formally commence the rezoning process, which will include a formal exhibition period.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said it's essential that social and affordable housing be a key consideration in planning proposals to address a shortage of housing.
"A shortage of affordable housing is not unique to Wollongong, but it's vitally important that we look at all options to address the issue," Cr Brown said.
"We need to respond to the changing housing needs in our community and consider how we can ease housing stress in the short term but also consider the best approaches to future housing needs.
"There are limits to what we can do in response to an issue affecting the entire state but, through our recently adopted Affordable Housing Policy, we will look to integrate affordable housing opportunities where possible into future housing proposals."
