Local communities bypassed on new public housing developments

Local councils and communities have found themselves at the wrong end of a process to rush through new public housing developments in Armidale and Glen Innes, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said today.
With the State Infrastructure Co-ordinator General as the consent authority for the developments, local councils could make submissions but had no regulatory role in compliance issues, he said.
A total of 142 new dwellings at a cost of $40, 868, 371 are planned for Armidale and Glen Innes. Of these 12 will be located at Lewis Street, Glen Innes with the remainder in Armidale.
The MP said councils and neighbours in the public housing development areas had been informed about the plans for the buildings but had been given no information regarding the demographic of the new residents.
“One development in Armidale involves 40 new one and two bedroom units in Butler Lane and Barney St which will have a considerable impact on the surrounding area,” Mr Torbay said.
“People living in the neighbourhood have not been told whether these are for senior citizens or general housing.
“My office has had many calls and representations on this issue and to date the government has not provided the detailed information people want.”
There was an obvious need to increase public housing stock but the process should be conducted in partnership with local councils and communities, Mr Torbay pointed out.
“We need to ensure that proper consideration is given local council regulations and to creating a good balance of residents who will add to the sense of community.
“I will discuss this issue with the Housing Minister when Parliament resumes next week and also advise him that residents and councils are entitled to more detailed information and involvement in these new developments.”
The public housing developments are carried out under the provisions of the NSW Building and Job Plan (State Infrastructure Delivery) Act 2009 and consent from Council is not required. The development application is determined by the NSW Office of the Infrastructure Coordinator General.