Council calls for Housing plans

Gosford Council will ask the Department of Housing about the overall plans for its houses in Woy Woy.

This follows applications by the department for dual occupancy houses in Grafton Ave and Nambucca Dve, Woy Woy.

Councillors voted on Tuesday, July 6, to defer the applications fearing the department may be trying to increase the density of the area without necessary social infrastructure.

At the meeting, Cr Chris Holstein said he was concerned by the lack of social infrastructure in the Woy Woy area.

"This is development by stealth," he said.

"Development needs to be backed by infrastructure.

"This entire area is Department of Housing."

"There are four houses up for redevelopment.

"Three are in Grafton Ave, Woy Woy and one is in Nambucca Dr Woy Woy.

"I support the Department of Housing, but I'm worried we're going to take a bit, a bit and another bit and we're not going to have the social infrastructure," Cr Holstein said.

"The Department of Housing needs to be up front with us.

"The question needs to be answered," he said.

Cr Craig Doyle agreed saying the Council had agreed 850 square metre blocks were needed for dual occupancy and the blocks for the proposed dwellings were only 650 square metres.

"I'm concerned about the amenities for these people."

The Council voted to defer the development application until talks with the Department could be held to get their plans for the area.

An officer of the Department of Housing said the department owned five homes on large blocks of land in Woy Woy, which it intended to re-develop into dual occupancies.

"The Department is not planning any additional dual occupancy re-developments in the Woy Woy peninsular at this stage," he said.

"The Department of Housing is committed to providing housing solutions to those most in need in Woy Woy.

"The existing single homes on large blocks do not make effective use of the Department's land in an area with high demand for public housing.

"Redevelopment into dual occupancies is a cost-effective way for the Department to make more public housing available in the local area.

"Any development will be in keeping with the character of the area as determined by Council regulations.

"The Department continues to move away from the estate housing model, and integrates public housing into the broader community.

"This avoids many of the damaging social and crime problems experienced in larger housing estates.

"The Department's redevelopment plans will result in a net gain of five new homes in the area.

"Four of the properties planned for re-development are occupied, with the fifth vacant and damaged by fire.

"The Department has consulted with the residents about the plans, and depending on their housing needs, they will have the option to live in one of the new homes or re-locate within the area, with the Department covering all moving costs.

"The other dwellings will be offered to needy families on the Central Coast priority housing or wait-turn list.

"The fire-damaged home will be the first to be re-developed if approved.

"The construction of the other four dwellings will occur in incremental stages, with residents having the option of moving into the new properties or accommodated elsewhere in the area."

Under the plans before the Council, the current houses would be pulled down and dual occupancy houses built.

Council staff recommended approval of the development, their report finding that the applications were in line with appropriate character statements

Under the current zoning laws, dual occupancies are allowed in the area.

The only problem with the applications were that there was no on-site visitor parking but the report by Council staff indicated that street parking would be sufficient.

Council received 36 public submissions relating to the development but the report by Council staff found the majority of the submissions were generic and did not relate specifically to the proposed developments.

Submissions to the Council objected to the proposal claiming it was a waste of tax payers money, the only dual occupancies in area, double garage doors were out of character, the effect on the local community, inadequate social infrastructure, and waste generated by pulling down houses

"Although a large number of submissions were received, many of the comments are either a generic objection to increased densities of housing generally or relate to the methods employed by Department of Housing in demolishing existing dwellings to provide the new structures," the Council report noted.

Alison Branley, Council Agenda, DH 060 July 6