Work continues to support social and affordable housing in Colac Otway Shire
March 30, 2023
Council is continuing to explore various social and affordable housing options to support Colac and the Shire.
Council considered an item at the March meeting that would support flexibility within two current areas of Elliminyt that are subject to residential rezoning processes for the provision of different forms of affordable housing.
Previous decisions by Council on these planning scheme amendments in 2022 had been that officers would negotiate with the relevant land owners to facilitate an agreed number of dwellings within new residential estates for social housing, consistent with Council’s adopted Social Housing Plan.
A developer of one of the sites however, had indicated they were exploring options for the establishment of low cost housing for workers in Colac’s key industries. While the developer has now advised that they are now mainly focused on the provision of social housing, alternative forms of affordable housing may be explored in the future.
The Council decision provides the opportunity for the developer of both new estates to consider different options for social and affordable housing, and Council is working with the proponents to facilitate these initiatives.
Mayor Chris Potter said the decision is a positive step toward development of affordable housing in Colac Otway.
“All forms of housing and accommodation are vitally important at this time, and Council’s decision provides greater flexibility toward this in new residential development.
“This amendment will also give other land developers the flexibility to negotiate affordable worker housing in future projects,” Cr Potter said.
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