Main Arm residents are calling for councillors to scrap their plans to expand rural housing on Multiple Occupancies (MOs) and Rural Community Title (CTs), owing to poor process and it being ‘not in keeping with the original ideals of Multiple Occupancy Living’.
In a submission to Council, they wrote, ‘We strongly believe that changes to planning controls should follow due process, including impartial, evidence-based Council reports and inclusive community consultation. Planning Proposal 26.2022.1.1 does not align with these views, and we cannot support it’.
MO and CT structures allow land to be managed by a consortium of landowners, and were established as a home ownership entry point for low- to medium-income earners. In 2021, Tweed Shire removed rural land sharing communities options, after MOs were found to be moving toward more traditional residential housing.
With submissions sought by Council around allowing additional dwellings on MOs and CTs, Main Arm Rural Residents Association (MARRA) supplied The Echo with their feedback.
No affordable housing guarantees
MARRA write, ‘The amendments cannot guarantee an increase in affordable housing, and no evidence is given to support this outcome. It is worth noting that developers can and do use the housing affordability crisis to their own advantage’.
Justification in the staff report for opening up rural development was also criticised, with MARRA saying ‘there was no community consultation or detailed information made available to residents affected by these changes at that time’.
‘Many residents are still recovering from [the flooding] disaster and repairs are ongoing nearly five months later.
‘Main Arm has a substantial number of Multiple Occupancy (MO) and Community Title (CT) sites. It is pre-emptive to proceed with this amendment decision before all government flood reviews are complete’.
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