A GUNNEDAH councillor has declared "the real work starts now" after the council approved its new strategy to tackle housing diversity and affordability over the next two decades on Wednesday.
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After initially expressing concerns about the Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy, councillor Murray O'Keefe told the October council meeting he was now "very pleased to see some of the tweaks".
"Now the hard work really lays before us as a council, as elected members and as a community... we need to enact the strategy and get the wheels of progress turning to drive more housing for our shire," he said.
The 20-year plan to steer the future direction of housing in Gunnedah was developed by council's planning team after workshops with members of the public, social housing providers, real estate agents, and representatives from the development and mining industries.
It includes numerous actions to cater for Gunnedah's growing population including incentives for affordable housing and encouraging secondary dwellings as an alternative affordable housing option in all residential zones.
The strategy identifies opportunities for an additional projected 580 dwellings over the next 20 years to 2041.
It also recommends investigating Curlewis for the potential for more residential land, and investigating public land for conversion to housing in partnership with housing providers.
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Cr Owen Hasler said the real work starts now and the strategy was "just the beginning of the process".
"It talks about actively perusing partnerships, so we have to achieve those partnerships," he said.
Mayor Jamie Chaffey said he was pleased with the way the document had been put together and the strong participation from community.
He said with Gunnedah's limited supply of serviced residential land and housing choices, and a growing population, the strategy is an "important blueprint for planning, zoning and development decisions".
The draft local housing strategy has been placed on exhibition for public comment, which will close at 5pm on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
The strategy can be viewed on council's website.
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Caitlin Reid
Caitlin Reid is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, focussing on a range of topics including Tamworth Regional Council, education, property and entertainment. To get in touch, email caitlin.reid@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Caitlin Reid is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, focussing on a range of topics including Tamworth Regional Council, education, property and entertainment. To get in touch, email caitlin.reid@austcommunitymedia.com.au
