General News
31 May, 2024
Residents discuss housing proposal
WARRNAMBOOL City Council’s Key Worker and Affordable Housing Project was under the spotlight at a recent public information session.
More than 60 Warrnambool residents attended the session, which offered an insight into council’s proposal to install 50 homes along Harrington Road.
The homes would be a mix of one, two and three bedrooms for key workers and people on low incomes.
Residents were presented with house design concepts and development layout concepts which showed access to the development would be via an internal service road to ease congestion along Harrington Road.
Warrnambool mayor Ben Blain said those at the meeting were very engaged and keen to see a number of concerns addressed.
“We had questions about emergency vehicle access and kerbside waste collection,” he Blain said.
“There were also questions around impact on property values and whether this was a social housing project.
“While we don’t have all the answers at this stage, what we can say for certain is that this is not a social housing project.”
Cr Blain said the homes would not be released into market for sale, limiting their impact on property values.
“These will be homes for key workers such as nurses and engineers, and for people who are struggling to find a home because of the housing shortage and rapid increase in property values and rental costs,” he said.
“A recent ABC report found that the average mortgage in 1990 was about three times the yearly wage for a 34-year-old; now it’s eight times.
“We’ll continue to engage with the community and there will be opportunities for people to take part in focus groups to discuss various aspects of the project.
“And based on the feedback we heard at the meeting on Monday night, we’ll refine and share more concept drawings and plans.
“We’re in a position where we can help employers who are struggling to attract workers because there are few accommodation options.”
