HOUSING NSW is determined to push ahead with an affordable housing development in Moss Vale despite strong opposition to the site chosen from both Council and business.
Last year, Housing NSW announced its plan to build 20 new homes for seniors on Argyle Street through funding under the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan and investment from the NSW Government.
The site chosen is outside of the central business district and would be completely unsuitable, according to Council and the Southern Highlands Business Chamber.
Despite repeated attempts, Council has been unable to get a response to their concerns from Housing NSW.
But when contacted by the News, they issued a written statement defending the site chosen.
“This is a good site for seniors, with bus services which will stop at the site,” the Housing NSW statement said.
“Before any site can be selected Housing NSW must know that it is available for sale.
“Even without the stimulus package, there is no point in investigating sites if they are not on the market.
“Housing NSW undertook an extensive advertising campaign and ran road shows to attract proposals for land. This site was chosen through that process.
“The need for affordable housing in particularly acute for smaller households and seniors, and this development will provide well sized homes for seniors.”
The statement refuted claims the development would not comply with Council’s Local environment Plan.
“The proposed development is compliant with the Local Environment Plan and complies with the relevant State planning requirements under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009,” the Housing NSW statement said.
After reviewing the statement with council staff, mayor Duncan Gair said the development “does not” comply with the LEP.
“Our LEP does allow for aged care, not affordable housing (at that site),” Cr Gair said.
“The LEP is the overriding plan and we feel this development is not compatible or permissible.
“Then you go to the DCP (Development Control Plan), which is the finer detail for that area, and we find even if it were permissible they would need 1650 square metres per unit, but they are putting up units that have one per 400 squared metres, which is approximately four times the density which is permissible under the DCP.
“It would have been good for them to come to Council and discuss the densities and the requirement under the LEP to clear up any matters of dispute.”
Southern Highland Business Chamber president Terry Oaks-Ash said the proposed complex was completely unsuitable for Moss Vale.
“Normally I would support a project that was going to produce jobs but this is just bad planning in my opinion,” Mr Oaks-Ash said.
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