Page 4074 - Week 11 - Thursday, 26 September 2019
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The Frewin Centre site (Block 20 Section 43 Scullin) was one of a several sites identified through the ACT Government’s 2018-19 Housing Targets for future community housing. Information about these sites is detailed as part of the breakdown of housing targets for 2018-19 under the City Renewal Authority and Suburban Land Agency (Housing Target) Determination 2018, which is available at https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/ni/2018-508/current/PDF/2018-508.PDF. The sites were nominated to deliver on the policy objectives outlined in the ACT Housing Strategy 2018. In particular, the Strategy includes clear and significant commitments to increase the supply of affordable housing across the ACT and to grow and diversify the community housing sector.
These important commitments recognise the challenges that many low to moderate income households (who may not qualify for public housing) face when trying to compete in Canberra’s traditionally competitive rental market. With external factors such as low unemployment, high average wages and strong population growth creating a compounding effect for those in the lower income brackets trying to secure safe, affordable and quality housing.
The identification of land for community housing under the 2018-19 Housing Targets was guided by a range of overarching principles to achieve an equitable and socially sustainable approach to the delivery of affordable and community housing. Principles included: a ‘salt and peppering’ of sites across the ACT; ensuring the efficient and appropriate use of land; and locating sites in close proximity to major transport corridors, open space and existing services and amenities. Where sites are identified in established suburbs, issues such as current land-uses, local characteristics and comparative information about the quantity of social and affordable housing already in the suburb were also considered.
In the case of the Frewin Centre site, considerations also included the quantity of dedicated CF zoned land and urban open space already within Section 43 and the capacity for this area to both accommodate community housing and retain its existing dominance of traditional community facility and open space uses.
The site will be sold through a competitive Request for Tender process, which only registered Community Housing Providers (CHPs) may participate in. The successful CHP will be required to engage with the community in relation to its specific proposal. This will require the CHP to identify areas of concern and demonstrate how its proposal responds to these concerns and addresses community feedback. The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate will support the CHP in undertaking this process, as part of its role in implementing the ACT Housing Strategy.
(Copies of the attachments are available at the Chamber Support Office).
University of Canberra Hospital—hydrotherapy pool
Ms Stephen-Smith (in reply to a supplementary question by Mrs Jones and Mrs Dunne on Tuesday, 20 August 2019):
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