THE ongoing housing crisis across the region was discussed in a livestreamed event hosted by Port Stephens Council on Wednesday, 22 April.
Utilising a Facebook Live stream, Mayor Leah Anderson was joined by Council staff Zoe Pattison, Ryan Falkenmire and Brock Lamont in an hour-long conversation, attempting to answer the community’s questions about housing supply and affordability.
The discussion also covered the Council’s Local Housing Strategy.
In just five years, the average house price and rental cost have both doubled in Port Stephens, and homelessness is increasing.
Mayor Anderson shared that 20,000 people are projected to move to Port Stephens in the next 20 years, which will require the building of over 11,000 homes.
To this end, Council has approved $500 million worth of development in the last financial year, including more than 600 dwellings.
A key demographic being targeted is middle-income families; these are the primary sources of workers in sectors such as hospitality and aged care, but they are being pushed out of the area due to the high cost of housing.
Demographics are very variable however and a mix of housing types is being pursued to cover all possibilities.
A particular focus is on affordable housing which, after having obtained special exemptions, Council has been able to build in more areas than before.
Thirteen affordable housing units have been constructed in Raymond Terrace in a $9.6 million development, and more are planned in Nelson Bay.
During the livesteamed event, concerns were noted regarding the protection of local biodiversity, as well as the risks from natural hazards such as flooding and bushfires.
Mr Falkenmire agreed that “part of Port Stephens’ beauty is in its highly constrained land”, and told listeners that all development is informed by studies ensuring protection of the environment.
While outward expansion is still planned, Council has chosen to focus on increasing the density of existing town centres (infill housing) and placing people next to existing infrastructure.
The Council staff stressed that Council’s role is not building houses, but rather managing approvals and overseeing the legislative steps.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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