WA Planning Commission approves Busselton social housing, despite opposition
WA's Planning Commission has approved a high-density social housing development in the state's South West despite a fierce backlash by residents.
The three-and-four-storey apartment block will be built on an unused site on Brown Street in Busselton, 223 kilometres south of Perth, by developer Housing Choices Western Australia.
It will feature 30 apartments, 16 of which will be social housing units and 14 affordable housing.
With the median house price climbing to $780,000 and rents now upwards of $800 per week, housing has become a critical issue in the community.
More than half of the public submissions opposed the development.
Residents cited safety and potential antisocial behaviour as key concerns.
Signs advertising the project were vandalised during the review process.
"It's great to see approval granted for much-needed housing for vulnerable people in the area," Planning Minister John Carey said.
"The development will transform an unused, 2,034-square-metre site into much-needed social and affordable housing in Busselton."
Busselton Ratepayers Association secretary Jane Bennett said she was acutely aware of the city's housing crisis, but did not support the development as a solution.
"We desperately need housing and options for people," she said.
The WA Planning Commission received 268 submissions in its public consultation period, of which 148 were strongly opposed.
Other concerns included the appearance of the building and parking.
Ms Bennett said there had been antisocial issues at other social housing developments, including in the Perth suburb of Inglewood, where residents spoke of living in fear due to the behaviour of a small group of social housing residents.
She said the Cook government should consider installing tiny homes throughout Busselton.
A similar WA-first initiative was introduced by homeless support group Accordwest in Bunbury in 2021.
"The message is for dilution, not concentration of these housing units," Ms Bennett said.
"There is concern that people are just trying to stop development, but our view is that the problems that could happen with this could spread to the entire community."
Busselton's council has endorsed the housing development, citing a crippling shortage of local housing stock.
City of Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin said the development should help people in need of community housing.
"The city's current community housing units, which are provided for the over 55s, are at full capacity and have a wait list of in excess of 50 people," Mr Cronin said.
"So this development may assist to alleviate some of those pressures.
The Planning Commission added a condition to change the visual appearance by painting the apartment in a lighter colour palette, in keeping with the coastal surroundings, rather than the original red brick.
Ms Bennett said ratepayers against the project would not give up.
"Just because they've said it's approved doesn't mean that there aren't many avenues we can go through to make sure that we're not dismissed," she said.
"Our voices in Busselton will be heard."
Construction is expected to begin early next year.
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