More than 100 affordable and social homes will be delivered as Bundaberg Regional Council and Regional Housing Limited partner to take real action against the housing crisis.
The two organisations have been collaborating on the housing project plans – which would ease the region’s current housing shortage – with Council resolving in its 27 May Ordinary Meeting to gift the land to Regional Housing for the delivery of subsidised affordable housing.
The Council land, known as the Gympie Estate, is an historical residential subdivision created by the State in 1888, well over a century ago.
It is bounded by Telegraph Road, the Ring Road, FE Walker Street and Mellifont Street and, while it is a significant parcel of land, not all parts of the site are capable of being developed.
FAQs
If only 25% of the lots may be used for social housing does that mean the rest is being developed for profit?
Council has gifted this land in partnership with a non-profit housing provider.
Regional Housing is a not-for-profit company managing emergency, transitional and long term social housing as well as a range of complimentary support programs throughout regional Queensland. Although the maximum allocation of social housing in the project is not to exceed 25% at completion, the remaining 75% of the development is intended to be developed for affordable housing products. If the disposal of the Council land progresses, Regional Housing Limited will be in control of the land (as landowner) and responsible for the ongoing control and management of the development.
Is the area identified for development part of Baldwin Swamp?
The Gympie Estate is not part of Baldwin Swamp which locates to the south-west of the land. Gympie Estate was subdivided by the Queensland Government surveyor in 1888.. Ownership was transferred to Bundaberg Regional Council about 20 years ago. The land to be developed for housing is currently located in the low density residential zone of the Council’s Planning Scheme.
Does this project mean the entirety of Gympie Estate will be cleared?
No. While Gympie Estate is a significant land holding, not all parts of the site are suitable for development (as indicated by the map below). Only about 43% of this parcel of land is being investigated for residential development. Through a master planning process a significant area of the site, currently zoned residential, will be preserved for open space and recreation purposes.
Why has this land been gifted without consultation meaning the community only gets to have its say after the decision has been made?
Council’s recent resolution means the Bundaberg Regional Council and Regional Housing Limited can move forward with jointly master planning the estate however the transfer of ownership of the land has not yet taken place. The master plan will be completed within six months at which point it will go to public consultation. Following the finalisation of this process, the master plan will come back to Council for resolution. Only following Council’s approval of these plans, which will incorporate the community feedback provided during the consultation period, would it make a final resolution to progress the disposal of the land.
Where is the infrastructure to support these new residents?
The land is ideally located near schools, the new Kepnock Town Centre, parks and major transport infrastructure. It is currently zoned low density residential and is well-placed to connect to existing urban infrastructure.
For clarification, how many blocks is Council gifting with regard to this proposed development?
The Gympie Estate covers approximately 26 hectares of land on both sides of the Ring Road and is made up of approximately 374 lots. The parts of the Estate which are the subject of investigation for the affordable homes project are made up of approximately 128 lots.
What does “historic subdivision” mean in regards to the land?
The term ‘historical subdivision’ is a reference to the historical practice by the Queensland Government surveyor of surveying land and creating lots in areas where they anticipated further residential development may occur. Despite the lots being created in 1888, the land making up Gympie Estate has never been developed for a residential purpose, however, many other residential communities in our region were created in this same way and later developed with housing and other urban developments. These type of surveys by the Government Surveyor in the Bundaberg Region were also carried out in many other parts of Queensland. Ownership of the Estate was transferred to Bundaberg Regional Council about 20 years ago and retained by Council as a strategic and important land holding since that time.. There are no historical features or structures on the land, and the site is not included in any heritage register.
How big is the parcel of land?
The Gympie Estate covers approximately 26 hectares however the investigation area relating to this affordable housing project makes up approximately 11.7 hectares or 43% of the land. What is the percentage of area that will be dedicated as ‘open space’? The area of land retained for open space and recreation purposes will not be determined until the master planning exercise is finalised. The plans supporting the development investigation indicates approximately 8.8 hectares or 32% may be retained for open space and recreation purposes.
What is the percentage of area that will be dedicated as ‘open space’?
The area of land retained for open space and recreation purposes will not be determined until the master planning exercise is finalised. The plans supporting the development investigation indicates approximately 8.8 hectares or 32% may be retained for open space and recreation purposes.
How much did this gift of land cost ratepayers?
The deed of gift which supports the possible disposal of the land from Council to Regional Housing Limited (RHL) details that RHL will bear the responsibility of all construction costs associated with delivery of the residential development. Aside from the land contribution itself, Council’s anticipated contribution toward the delivery of the development relates more to ‘in-kind’ support in obtaining any necessary development approval and sharing the cost of the master planning exercise. It is also anticipated that should the development progress, RHL and Council would work collaboratively to attract Government grant funding to support delivery of the development.
How will the planning process ensure this does not just become an undesirable area?
Both Council and RHL have a strong interest in ensuring that any future residential development of the land delivers positive outcomes for both future residents and the broader community. It is Council’s view that Regional Housing , as a long established community service provider with close to 1000 tenancies across Queensland, is well placed to guide the delivery of a high quality affordable housing project for the Bundaberg Region.
Where is the environmental consideration?
The agreement that is in place with Regional Housing Limited does not preclude this development following the normal development assessment process, which includes the close consideration of the potential impacts of any development on environmental areas. Should the disposal of the land ultimately progress Council, along with our relevant partners in the State Government, would assess the proposal against all the relevant assessment benchmarks, including those relating to environmental features.
Why are they all getting built over east?
The land is ideally located near schools, the new Kepnock Town Centre, parks and major transport infrastructure. The land is predominantly zoned low density residential and is well-placed to connect to existing urban infrastructure.