Cr. Paul Spooner, Byron Bay
While public discussion regarding the potential merits or perceived deficiencies of an affordable housing redevelopment in Mullumbimby have grabbed the headlines and letters section there is an even more important item for housing affordability up for discussion at the 4 August Council meeting – the Draft Byron Shire Residential Strategy.
This strategy provides an opportunity to be a ‘game changer’ in housing affordability for our Shire.
I will be suggesting we adopt 30% inclusionary zoning into our planning laws. What does this mean? Every new development over a certain size (say 20 dwellings) would be mandated to supply at least 30% as affordable housing. Such housing to be managed by a community housing provider to ensure ongoing compliance and support.
This is happening in London, Amsterdam, New York and hundreds of other places across the world. Why not in Byron Shire?
Relying on market forces or state and federal governments to deliver affordable housing has failed. We need to be creative and leverage partnerships between local government, private investors and community housing providers to address the major shortage of affordable housing in our shire.
What could this deliver? Think West Byron. If this was in place prior to its approval we would be seeing 240 affordable dwellings created.
Think about it.
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