Tiny homes trial constructed to ease massive housing affordability crisis
Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes.
The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue.
The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund.
Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s.
"We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said.
"But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change.
"We need to lean into new opportunities and work together."
The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year.
Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness.
Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market.
"One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said.
"Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging.
"The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history."
Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges.
"Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said.
Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont.
"These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said.
"They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely."
Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes.
"It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said.
"Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability."
Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program.
Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year.
DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month.
The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat.
Lake Macquarie City Council has teamed up with family services provider Allambi Care to trial the introduction of "tiny homes" to help combat the housing crisis.
Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes.
The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue.
The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund.
Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s.
"We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said.
"But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change.
"We need to lean into new opportunities and work together."
The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year.
Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness.
Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market.
"One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said.
"Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging.
"The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history."
Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges.
"Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said.
Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont.
"These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said.
"They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely."
Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes.
"It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said.
"Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability."
Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program.
Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year.
DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month.
The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat.
Lake Macquarie City Council has teamed up with family services provider Allambi Care to trial the introduction of "tiny homes" to help combat the housing crisis.
Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes.
The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue.
The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund.
Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s.
"We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said.
"But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change.
"We need to lean into new opportunities and work together."
The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year.
Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness.
Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market.
"One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said.
"Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging.
"The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history."
Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges.
"Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said.
Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont.
"These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said.
"They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely."
Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes.
"It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said.
"Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability."
Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program.
Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year.
DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month.
The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat.
Lake Macquarie City Council has teamed up with family services provider Allambi Care to trial the introduction of "tiny homes" to help combat the housing crisis.
Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes.
The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue.
The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund.
Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie.
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s.
"We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said.
"But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change.
"We need to lean into new opportunities and work together."
The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year.
Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness.
Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market.
"One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said.
"Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging.
"The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history."
Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges.
"Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said.
Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont.
"These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said.
"They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely."
Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes.
"It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said.
"Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability."
Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program.
Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year.
DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month.
The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat.
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The Advertiser
29-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Koala conservation is something to sniff at for hard-working scent hound
There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said. There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said. There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said. There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said.
The Advertiser
25-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Biggest rezoning in decades: government announces plans for 4200 new dwellings
The state government will fast-track the rezoning of 574 hectares of bushland earmarked for 4200 dwellings as part of the massive Eden Estates housing project. The project, one of the largest Hunter land rezonings in decades, straddles the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie council areas and is bounded by Wallsend, Cameron Park, Elemore Vale and Glendale. The buildings would include a mix of housing types with a focus on affordable housing, employment and supporting community facilities. It is one of five sites across the state identified as suitable for the construction of an estimated 7800 new homes in the coming years. The other sites are: Beverly Hills Town Centre (west), a site adjacent to Sydney Markets, Shoalhaven Street Precinct (Kiama Depot), and the former Wallerawang Power Station. City of Newcastle said it was disappointed the government was taking the rezoning process away from councils. A council spokeswoman said it was a similar scenario to when the government removed the council's planning powers for 505 Minmi Road, but ultimately agreed with its concerns on biodiversity. "City of Newcastle's staff have worked collaboratively with Eden Estates and all stakeholders, including Lake Macquarie City Council, to achieve a suitable planning outcome for the site," she said. "The significant high environmental value of the bushland areas of the Eden Estates land has recently been reflected in the exhibition of the Local Strategic Planning Statement. The Eden Estates concept was in the final stages of an agreement for the preservation of bushland, balanced against the need for housing in well-located areas." Hunter environmental groups have warned that widespread clearing of the Eden Estates site, also known as the Link Road Forest, would result in an ecological disaster. Preliminary ecological assessments have identified 11 threatened fauna species, including the endangered large-eared pied bat, and five threatened plant species. While no koalas were recorded on-site, they have been found nearby. The Hunter Community Environment Centre has called for the project's plans to be amended to preserve the region's last major east-west vegetation linkage. "There is a desperate need for an amended project plan which shows due consideration to our precious and diverse threatened species by reducing the clearing footprint and preserving bushland connectivity," HCEC spokeswoman Johanna Lynch said. "Indeed, many members of the community want to see this development halted completely due to its size and unalterable loss of so much native vegetation providing habitat." An evaluation panel within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure assessed each of the projects, with oversight from an independent probity advisor to ensure objectivity and to uphold the best interests of communities. The State Significant Rezoning Policy, introduced in September 2024, aims to fast-track the rezoning of key precincts and existing planning proposals delayed in the planning system. Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure deputy secretary Monica Gibson said the department would work closely with councils and other stakeholders to deliver well-located homes and jobs. "We are also working with applicants to address long-standing, complex challenges by stepping in to lead rezoning in areas that have high potential for growth," she said. "We're streamlining processes, cutting through red tape, and bringing together key state agencies to help in the delivery of more homes, where they are needed." The state government will fast-track the rezoning of 574 hectares of bushland earmarked for 4200 dwellings as part of the massive Eden Estates housing project. The project, one of the largest Hunter land rezonings in decades, straddles the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie council areas and is bounded by Wallsend, Cameron Park, Elemore Vale and Glendale. The buildings would include a mix of housing types with a focus on affordable housing, employment and supporting community facilities. It is one of five sites across the state identified as suitable for the construction of an estimated 7800 new homes in the coming years. The other sites are: Beverly Hills Town Centre (west), a site adjacent to Sydney Markets, Shoalhaven Street Precinct (Kiama Depot), and the former Wallerawang Power Station. City of Newcastle said it was disappointed the government was taking the rezoning process away from councils. A council spokeswoman said it was a similar scenario to when the government removed the council's planning powers for 505 Minmi Road, but ultimately agreed with its concerns on biodiversity. "City of Newcastle's staff have worked collaboratively with Eden Estates and all stakeholders, including Lake Macquarie City Council, to achieve a suitable planning outcome for the site," she said. "The significant high environmental value of the bushland areas of the Eden Estates land has recently been reflected in the exhibition of the Local Strategic Planning Statement. The Eden Estates concept was in the final stages of an agreement for the preservation of bushland, balanced against the need for housing in well-located areas." Hunter environmental groups have warned that widespread clearing of the Eden Estates site, also known as the Link Road Forest, would result in an ecological disaster. Preliminary ecological assessments have identified 11 threatened fauna species, including the endangered large-eared pied bat, and five threatened plant species. While no koalas were recorded on-site, they have been found nearby. The Hunter Community Environment Centre has called for the project's plans to be amended to preserve the region's last major east-west vegetation linkage. "There is a desperate need for an amended project plan which shows due consideration to our precious and diverse threatened species by reducing the clearing footprint and preserving bushland connectivity," HCEC spokeswoman Johanna Lynch said. "Indeed, many members of the community want to see this development halted completely due to its size and unalterable loss of so much native vegetation providing habitat." An evaluation panel within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure assessed each of the projects, with oversight from an independent probity advisor to ensure objectivity and to uphold the best interests of communities. The State Significant Rezoning Policy, introduced in September 2024, aims to fast-track the rezoning of key precincts and existing planning proposals delayed in the planning system. Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure deputy secretary Monica Gibson said the department would work closely with councils and other stakeholders to deliver well-located homes and jobs. "We are also working with applicants to address long-standing, complex challenges by stepping in to lead rezoning in areas that have high potential for growth," she said. "We're streamlining processes, cutting through red tape, and bringing together key state agencies to help in the delivery of more homes, where they are needed." The state government will fast-track the rezoning of 574 hectares of bushland earmarked for 4200 dwellings as part of the massive Eden Estates housing project. The project, one of the largest Hunter land rezonings in decades, straddles the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie council areas and is bounded by Wallsend, Cameron Park, Elemore Vale and Glendale. The buildings would include a mix of housing types with a focus on affordable housing, employment and supporting community facilities. It is one of five sites across the state identified as suitable for the construction of an estimated 7800 new homes in the coming years. The other sites are: Beverly Hills Town Centre (west), a site adjacent to Sydney Markets, Shoalhaven Street Precinct (Kiama Depot), and the former Wallerawang Power Station. City of Newcastle said it was disappointed the government was taking the rezoning process away from councils. A council spokeswoman said it was a similar scenario to when the government removed the council's planning powers for 505 Minmi Road, but ultimately agreed with its concerns on biodiversity. "City of Newcastle's staff have worked collaboratively with Eden Estates and all stakeholders, including Lake Macquarie City Council, to achieve a suitable planning outcome for the site," she said. "The significant high environmental value of the bushland areas of the Eden Estates land has recently been reflected in the exhibition of the Local Strategic Planning Statement. The Eden Estates concept was in the final stages of an agreement for the preservation of bushland, balanced against the need for housing in well-located areas." Hunter environmental groups have warned that widespread clearing of the Eden Estates site, also known as the Link Road Forest, would result in an ecological disaster. Preliminary ecological assessments have identified 11 threatened fauna species, including the endangered large-eared pied bat, and five threatened plant species. While no koalas were recorded on-site, they have been found nearby. The Hunter Community Environment Centre has called for the project's plans to be amended to preserve the region's last major east-west vegetation linkage. "There is a desperate need for an amended project plan which shows due consideration to our precious and diverse threatened species by reducing the clearing footprint and preserving bushland connectivity," HCEC spokeswoman Johanna Lynch said. "Indeed, many members of the community want to see this development halted completely due to its size and unalterable loss of so much native vegetation providing habitat." An evaluation panel within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure assessed each of the projects, with oversight from an independent probity advisor to ensure objectivity and to uphold the best interests of communities. The State Significant Rezoning Policy, introduced in September 2024, aims to fast-track the rezoning of key precincts and existing planning proposals delayed in the planning system. Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure deputy secretary Monica Gibson said the department would work closely with councils and other stakeholders to deliver well-located homes and jobs. "We are also working with applicants to address long-standing, complex challenges by stepping in to lead rezoning in areas that have high potential for growth," she said. "We're streamlining processes, cutting through red tape, and bringing together key state agencies to help in the delivery of more homes, where they are needed." The state government will fast-track the rezoning of 574 hectares of bushland earmarked for 4200 dwellings as part of the massive Eden Estates housing project. The project, one of the largest Hunter land rezonings in decades, straddles the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie council areas and is bounded by Wallsend, Cameron Park, Elemore Vale and Glendale. The buildings would include a mix of housing types with a focus on affordable housing, employment and supporting community facilities. It is one of five sites across the state identified as suitable for the construction of an estimated 7800 new homes in the coming years. The other sites are: Beverly Hills Town Centre (west), a site adjacent to Sydney Markets, Shoalhaven Street Precinct (Kiama Depot), and the former Wallerawang Power Station. City of Newcastle said it was disappointed the government was taking the rezoning process away from councils. A council spokeswoman said it was a similar scenario to when the government removed the council's planning powers for 505 Minmi Road, but ultimately agreed with its concerns on biodiversity. "City of Newcastle's staff have worked collaboratively with Eden Estates and all stakeholders, including Lake Macquarie City Council, to achieve a suitable planning outcome for the site," she said. "The significant high environmental value of the bushland areas of the Eden Estates land has recently been reflected in the exhibition of the Local Strategic Planning Statement. The Eden Estates concept was in the final stages of an agreement for the preservation of bushland, balanced against the need for housing in well-located areas." Hunter environmental groups have warned that widespread clearing of the Eden Estates site, also known as the Link Road Forest, would result in an ecological disaster. Preliminary ecological assessments have identified 11 threatened fauna species, including the endangered large-eared pied bat, and five threatened plant species. While no koalas were recorded on-site, they have been found nearby. The Hunter Community Environment Centre has called for the project's plans to be amended to preserve the region's last major east-west vegetation linkage. "There is a desperate need for an amended project plan which shows due consideration to our precious and diverse threatened species by reducing the clearing footprint and preserving bushland connectivity," HCEC spokeswoman Johanna Lynch said. "Indeed, many members of the community want to see this development halted completely due to its size and unalterable loss of so much native vegetation providing habitat." An evaluation panel within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure assessed each of the projects, with oversight from an independent probity advisor to ensure objectivity and to uphold the best interests of communities. The State Significant Rezoning Policy, introduced in September 2024, aims to fast-track the rezoning of key precincts and existing planning proposals delayed in the planning system. Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure deputy secretary Monica Gibson said the department would work closely with councils and other stakeholders to deliver well-located homes and jobs. "We are also working with applicants to address long-standing, complex challenges by stepping in to lead rezoning in areas that have high potential for growth," she said. "We're streamlining processes, cutting through red tape, and bringing together key state agencies to help in the delivery of more homes, where they are needed."
The Advertiser
27-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Tiny homes trial constructed to ease massive housing affordability crisis
Lake Macquarie City Council has teamed up with family services provider Allambi Care to trial the introduction of "tiny homes" to help combat the housing crisis. Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes. The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue. The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund. Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s. "We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said. "But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change. "We need to lean into new opportunities and work together." The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year. Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness. Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market. "One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said. "Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging. "The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history." Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges. "Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said. Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont. "These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said. "They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely." Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes. "It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said. "Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability." Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program. Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year. DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month. The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat. Lake Macquarie City Council has teamed up with family services provider Allambi Care to trial the introduction of "tiny homes" to help combat the housing crisis. Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes. The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue. The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund. Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s. "We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said. "But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change. "We need to lean into new opportunities and work together." The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year. Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness. Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market. "One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said. "Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging. "The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history." Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges. "Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said. Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont. "These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said. "They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely." Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes. "It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said. "Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability." Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program. Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year. DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month. The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat. Lake Macquarie City Council has teamed up with family services provider Allambi Care to trial the introduction of "tiny homes" to help combat the housing crisis. Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes. The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue. The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund. Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s. "We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said. "But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change. "We need to lean into new opportunities and work together." The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year. Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness. Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market. "One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said. "Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging. "The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history." Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges. "Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said. Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont. "These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said. "They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely." Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes. "It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said. "Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability." Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program. Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year. DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month. The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat. Lake Macquarie City Council has teamed up with family services provider Allambi Care to trial the introduction of "tiny homes" to help combat the housing crisis. Under the plan, two blocks of council-owned residential land in Belmont North will be used to accommodate two modular homes. The two-bedroom self-contained houses will be built by West Gosford company Tiny Homes 4 U and transported to the sites in Laxton Crescent and Wommara Avenue. The state government's Homes NSW provided the funding through its Homelessness Innovation Fund. Allambi Care will oversee the tenancy of the homes, which will likely be offered to young adults struggling to find permanent accommodation in Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the innovative trial with Allambi Care was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Lake Macquarie Housing Forum held in April at Belmont 16s. "We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room, and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region," Cr Shultz said. "But there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate and we can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change. "We need to lean into new opportunities and work together." The development applications for the two tiny homes is pending, but the residents are expected to move in by the end of the year. Allambi Care services over 400 young people in Lake Macquarie who are at risk of homelessness. Allambi's director of family and early intervention services, Kelly-Lee Goodchild, said the tiny homes offered a way to assist young people who struggle to compete for rentals in a limited housing market. "One of the big things we've been managing on an ongoing basis is the lack of short-term and medium-term accommodation for them outside of refuge options and temporary accommodation," Ms Goodchild said. "Finding somewhere for them to build up a rental history and be able to then apply for their own rental accommodation is really challenging. "The access to housing is near impossible for anyone who doesn't have any form of rental history." Ms Goodchild said many young people were couch-surfing, sleeping rough in cars and on the streets or staying in refuges. "Housing is a really massive crisis across the board for a lot of people, but especially for youth that are disconnected from family networks," she said. Cr Shultz said plans were underway to expand the program to another three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on underutilised land at Belmont. "These are relatively small projects but that doesn't reduce their importance," Cr Shultz said. "They aim to provide proof of concept, and if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with the potential to be rolled out much more widely." Ms Goodchild said she welcomed any moves to create more tiny homes. "It's a really exciting project to be creative and put some options out there to tackle this problem," she said. "Tiny homes are a great initiative and a practical, cost-effective way to address housing affordability." Last year the Minns government announced plans to build 90 modular public homes across the state as part of the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program. Five of those homes will be built in Windale, Gateshead, Toronto and Belmont South by the end of the year. DAs have been approved for four of the Lake Macquarie sites and the tender was awarded to Moov Modular. The tender for the fifth site is expected to be awarded next month. The modular homes will be built as the second dwelling in backyards, similar to a granny flat.
