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Housing Department snubs Council

 

The State Housing Department has refused to talk to Gosford Council about its plans for its housing stock in Grafton Ave and surrounding areas in South Woy Woy.

Instead it has referred an application to replace a single occupancy dwelling with a dual occupancy dwelling to the Minister.

The council recently invited the department to discuss the issue of a long-term strategy for affordable housing on the Peninsula.

After hearing the department's response, the council decided to refuse the application. The application was the fifth similar application for the area.

"I recommend we refuse. This is an ad hoc development," Cr Terri Latella said.

"There is no strategy behind it."

Cr Latella said there was a need for a strategy for affordable housing on the Central Coast.

Cr Chris Holstein said: "It is sheer arrogance for the department of housing not to talk to us."

Cr Laurie Maher said: "It really is a slap in the face."

The council decided to reject the application because the proposal did not form part of a strategic affordable housing policy for Gosford and that it was not in the public interest in light of the housing department's refusal to discuss its long-term strategy.

The application was also rejected because the proposal did not reflect the size of the neighbouring dwellings and that there was no on-site parking.

The council's assessment team originally supported the approval of the development as the officers considered it to be consistent with the objectives of the residential zoning as well as being consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

The report from the assessment team stated that the proposal provided no on-site visitor parking however it said the street was wide enough to allow adequate and safe on street parking.

One public submission was received with respect to the application but the issues raised were not considered relevant.

Lyle Stone, Council agenda DH.102, October 5