Draft Local Housing Strategy addresses needs of the future

October 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council has released its Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy for community feedback.

The strategy steers the direction for housing in Gunnedah Shire for the next 20 years, setting priorities and actions for the years ahead.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said interest in the project had been high and community engagement ahead of the strategy had spotlighted where the focus for housing needed to be.

“The Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy has been put together specifically with the identified need for a wider variety of housing in mind,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Community consultation and a close look at statistics and population projections show we have a limited supply of serviced residential land and housing choices, and a growing population. This strategy looks at ways to address the needs of the future.

“This is an important blueprint to use when our Shire approaches planning, zoning and development decisions. It will assist in ensuring our housing availability and choices develop alongside changes in our population.”

The Draft Gunnedah Shire Housing Strategy includes 5 key directions which are accompanied by 15 strategies and 33 actions for Council to implement and encourage housing diversity and choice, and increase affordability in meeting the needs of its future population.

Direction 1: Deliver greater housing diversity to suit changing needs Direction 2: Support healthy, safe, socially engaged and well-connected communities Direction 3: Strengthen community resilience Direction 4: Provide great places to live Direction 5: Deliver well planned rural residential development

Specific actions include considering incentives for affordable housing, encouraging secondary dwellings as an alternative affordable housing option in all residential zones, investigating public land for conversion to housing in partnership with housing providers, and investigating Curlewis for the potential for more residential land.

Team Leader Building and Strategic Projects, Blake O’Mullane said workshops were attended by members of the public, social housing providers, real estate agents, and representatives from the development and mining industries.

“The strategy will inform Council of opportunities to encourage strengthened investment in a range of housing typologies across the Shire particularly the Gunnedah township, and we encourage the community to have their say on the draft document” Mr O’Mullane said.

The public exhibition period will close 5pm Wednesday 24 November 2021 and the draft Strategy can be viewed:

On Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or• between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday at Council’s Administration Office, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.Written submissions in relation to the draft Strategy can be• Posted to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380 or• Emailed to [email protected]

Any enquiries in relation to the Strategy, can be directed to Council’s Strategic Planning Team on 02 6740 2100 or [email protected].

Caption: The Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy steers the direction for housing over the next 20 years.

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.