Last night, Council endorsed the new Local Housing Strategy setting the blueprint for future housing growth across Port Stephens.
The Strategy has been developed to meet the current and future housing needs of Port Stephens which is expected to grow by 20,000 new residents over the next 20 years.
Deputy Mayor Leah Anderson says that housing is one of the biggest issues facing the Port Stephens community.
"For the past few years, we know that the lack of affordable housing has been impacting our local community. As house prices continue to rise, more and more people have been forced to look outside of Port Stephens for a place to live," Deputy Mayor Anderson said.
"We want to ensure everyone has a place to call home - whether they are health, aged care or hospitality workers wanting to live close to work, a family raising young children or residents looking to downsize as they grow older," she added.
The Port Stephens Local Housing Strategy and the Port Stephens Housing Supply Plan focus on addressing issues around housing diversity, affordability and supply. It identifies what types of housing can be built, where new homes can be located and what's required to support new development.
"This strategy identifies opportunities for more town houses and apartments in our town centres close to shops, services and public transport. By increasing the diversity and affordability of housing types, our residents can continue to live in their community close to family, friends, community and networks through all stages of their life," Deputy Mayor Anderson said.
Over the last 8 months Council have engaged the community online and face to face including hosting a Housing Forum in November 2023 with over 50 representatives from community, business and industry and more recently a Facebook Live and 3 drop in sessions in Raymond Terrace, Medowie and the Tomaree Library.
"The community has made it very clear that if we are going to increase housing, we need to also plan for the infrastructure required to support the population growth," Deputy Mayor Anderson said.
"We heard that roads, health services, schools and public spaces all need to grow to meet future demand. This feedback has been included in the strategy and we'll be working to secure funding to help deliver these important services.
"We've also included actions to work with Homes NSW and community housing providers. This will help us deliver the NSW government affordable and social housing targets. A review of all Council owned land and buildings is also on the list which will help us find opportunities for new affordable and social housing.
"As a Council we are committed to the getting housing right - we need more housing but we also need more services – we know one can't happen without the other. This strategy sets the framework, but we will still engage with the community along the way.
"Having this strategy endorsed is the first step in moving forward – there is so much more to be done but by working together, we can make positive change, setting Port Stephens up for the future," she added.
