Smaller homes, more units will boost housing affordability on the Coast

Encouraging smaller and more modest dwellings and increasing the amount of townhouses, units and apartments is just one of many tactics Sunshine Coast Council may use to improve affordable living options on Coast.

The tactics are discussed in the Affordable Living Discussion Paper, which is currently available for community comment as part of Sunshine Coast Council’s extensive Our Place Our Future planning program until Monday 7 December.

The discussion paper looks at ways to match housing type to household size, improve housing choice, design accessible and resource-efficient neighbourhoods, and improve access to essential facilities and services.

Council’s Social Strategy Portfolio holder and Housing Affordability Taskforce Chair Councillor Anna Grosskreutz said affordable living is vital to achieving sustainability.

“Affordable living is a major issue facing the Coast and it’s about more than just the financial cost of living and housing prices — it is the aspiration to live within our means,” Cr Grosskreutz said.

“The region is trying to cope with growth, high levels of housing stress, low levels of housing affordability and increasing car dependency.

“Affordable living will build our capacity to cope with increasing financial pressures and the other changes growth brings, as well as reduce our energy consumption.

“For housing to be affordable it needs to be well located, close to jobs and serviced by public transport, open space and community facilities.

“It also needs to be designed in an environmentally sustainable way to reduce household costs.

“The road to achieving this will require a collaborative approach from the development industry, business, community and all levels of government.

“So, I invite the community to read the discussion paper and play their part in creating a sustainable future for our region.”

This discussion paper will be used to prepare the Sunshine Coast Affordable Living Strategy. The draft strategy will be placed on display for community feedback next year and will become the platform for council’s future operations and discussions with other levels of government.

The community is invited to have its say by filling out the feedback form or by sending council a detailed submission.

For more information or to have your say:

• Visit council’s website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
• Take part in an online discussion via Facebook
• Visit a local library or council customer service centre
• Talk to a staff member at a local roadshow display near you.

Submissions close at 4pm on Monday 7 December 2009.

The remaining roadshow dates are:

19 November, 3pm–7 pm, Millwell Road Community Centre, 11a Millwell Rd East,, Maroochydore

21 November, Yandina Markets, Old Bruce Highway, Yandina

24 November, 9am–1pm, Palmwoods Memorial Hall, Main St, Palmwoods

26 November, 9am–1pm, Mapleton Community Hall, 31 Obi Obi Rd, Mapleton

28 November, 9am–1pm, Innovation Centre, Sunshine Coast University, 90 Sippy Downs Drv, Sippy Downs

29 November, Cotton Tree Markets, King St, Cotton Tree