The pressure is on NSW government development agency, Landcom, to explain how their plans for a large 32-unit proposal to replace a busy Mullum car park are achievable.
The proposal is located near the town’s entrance roundabout, and, if approved, would be the only three-storey building in the town.
Questions by Mullumbimby Residents Association last week reveal that Landcom’s proposal comes without crucial assessments that would determine if the project is viable. For example, when asked about flooding and hydrology, the representatives replied studies are underway, yet will be ‘specifically designed with flood-risk in mind’.
They also say the ‘ground floor retail and habitable areas will be elevated to meet, or exceed Council’s flood planning control levels’.
Traffic impacts
Likewise, traffic impacts are being ‘reviewed’ – the proposal suggests all traffic would funnel via the laneway, which is regularly used by large trucks unloading for IGA.
Landcom claim they are only required to supply 20 parking spaces for 50 plus residents, and as for the 64 plus rubbish bins, Landcom say it will be managed on-site.
Concerns about reduced parking were directed to Council, who are yet to formalise where another car park will be located.
According to Landcom, the project can only proceed once the car park is established by Council; they say it will be the land on the corner of Argyle and Prince Street, opposite the former Carsburg site.
Yet that is a smaller parcel of land, and does not accord with the town’s masterplan’s vision to reflect Mullumbimby’s ‘green image’.
Landcom say that the units have been set at the minimum size required, suggesting that the high bulk and scale is needed to attract a Community Housing Provider (CHP).
Past attempts to attract interest from a CHP were unsuccessful.
Around $1m of the $10m project is being provided by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, say Landcom.
The Echo understands the rest will need to be sourced by the CHP, who will apply for a grant under the federal government Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
As for how ‘affordable’ the units would be, Landcom replied, ‘The rent will be capped at a percentage below market rate, usually 74.9 per cent of market’.
A nearby one-bedroom unit currently available for rent is $590, making the units approximately $442 pw.
Scaled-down?
When a Mullum Residents Association member suggested a scaled-down proposal once the studies were complete, a Landcom rep replied that the ‘yield has already been reduced for this project since its inception’.
This does not accord with a media release in April 2022, which said the proposal would be 29 units, nor appear realistic with the development footprint.
As for whether the proposal’s footprint is not in keeping with the town’s character, Landcom say they have engaged a ‘qualified heritage consultant’.
Determination of the DA will be by the Northern Regional Planning Panel.
Feedback is open until December 9 at www.joinin.landcom.nsw.gov.au/mullumbimby.
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