Byron Shire Council will hold a workshop in the next month on using multiple occupancies (MOs) as a way of increasing its commitment to affordable housing across the shire.
The announcement follows a decision at last Thursday’s council meeting to propose zoning variations for a number of properties that are seeking multiple occupancy titles in its draft LEP.
One of the properties had previously been zoned MO by Byron Council but the approval was overturned by the state government.
The mapping changes specifically affect a handful of properties at Fowlers Lane, Charltons Road, Settlement Road, Englishes Road and Coopers South Lane, which will now be placed on the council’s multiple occupancy map.
Cr Rose Wanchap has a financial holding in one of the Fowlers Lane properties and left the meeting briefly while the inclusion of that property was discussed and voted on.
Impassioned speeches were given during public access by Lana Henry, Zegna Nirvana, and Craig Darcy ahead of the decision, some of whom have been waiting for up to 20 years for final decisions to be made on their properties.
Mayor Richardson said that multiple occupancy and community title offers residents an affordable housing option in a shire that is increasingly becoming unaffordable.
‘We know we have a problem with many unapproved dwellings in rural areas. We want them to become compliant and community title and multiple occupancy offers an avenue for how this could be achieved in some locations,’ he said.
‘Our residents need the economic surety that a home can provide and community living reflects the wonderful thread in the Byron Shire tapestry.’
