The next steps to secure affordable housing in Lilydale

Council is undertaking a feasibility study to test all aspects of a proposal to provide affordable housing at 67-69 Anderson Street Lilydale, following community engagement undertaken last year.

This will include examining alternate densities for the site, with Council determining the scope of the study be reduced from the previously proposed 32 units to 12-20 units.

Cr Len Cox said the housing would most likely be directed to people with disability and older single women at risk of homelessness.

“These are two groups in our community who are at high risk of housing stress and insecure housing locally,” Cr Cox said.

“We are committed to increasing housing affordability by utilising Council owned land for suitable housing developments and advocating for reforms to State planning policy to include mandatory affordable housing in new large scale developments.

“The study, will include more detailed concept plans for the site  at the reduced scale of development and address parking and traffic issues in the area and the protection of heritage trees.”

Cr Tim Heenan said there would be further opportunities for people to gain more understanding about the proposal, social housing and potential resident groups, and the housing issues in the Yarra Ranges affecting many community members.

“A number of views were raised by the community in response to Council’s 2017 survey, including concerns about existing conditions including traffic and parking issues including a dangerous intersection, density of the proposed units and loss of the small pocket park,” Cr Heenan said.

“We will continue to advocate for affordable, safe and secure housing for all as one of goals to advance the health and wellbeing of the Yarra Ranges community.”

About 20 per cent of residents who responded to Council last year expressed concern about the need for more affordable housing, the impacts on their community and strongly supported the proposal.

Council is seeking to ensure high quality, well designed housing is considered in the feasibility study, which is now standard for new social housing projects. After the feasibility stage, the outcome will be subject to a future Council decision, statutory process and further community engagement.