Barunga West Council moves to open 230 housing blocks
Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Barunga West Council plans to create 230 residential allotments between Fisherman Bay and Port Broughton to meet demand and ease the local housing shortage.
Council received approval from Minister for Planning Nick Champion to start the process to rezone 26 hectares of farming land from rural to residential on Friday, May 5.
CEO Maree Wauchope said council would now start consultation with the local community and stakeholders, including emergency services, education agencies and utility providers, and work with the landowner to develop a master plan and infrastructure deed.
“Ultimately we are seeking to come up with a plan that creates another 230 residential blocks within the next four years,” she said.
“Rezoning of this land has been talked about for years and, now the Fisherman Bay freehold project is well underway and our community waste water infrastructure has capacity to accommodate further growth, we can start the process.
“This proposal is part of our responsibility to ensure there is a reasonable pipeline of residential land in the system for release and redevelopment.
“The proposed rezoning will bring significant benefits to the region, including increased job opportunities and a boost to the local economy.”
Ms Wauchope said the proposed Code Amendment would be subject to significant community consultation, and endorsement by council did not necessarily mean the Minister would approve the rezoning.
“If the rezoning is approved, it could take up to four years before the first house is built,” she said.
“We will make sure we secure private sector funding to deliver the essential infrastructure, including roads, waste water, stormwater and surveying.”
Land releases aimed at easing housing pressure
Barunga West Council mayor Leonie Kerley said the proposed land development adjacent to Fisherman Bay would help to attract more young people and families to the area, in addition to the traditional retirees.
She said this would help to secure the future of existing local services, including the Port Broughton Area School and Port Broughton District Hospital.
As part of its push for sustainable growth, council is also seeking expressions of interest from developers to purchase 13.35 hectares on Arbon Road, Bute to be developed and sold as 25 rural living blocks ranging from 1500 square metres to 2065sqm.
“We are also accelerating home approvals,” Mrs Kerley said.
“In most instances we are approving conforming applications within 17 business days.”
However, she said there was some concern among BWC residents about the strain a growing population would put on already stretched local services, particularly health and medical services.
“It’s a government responsibility to ensure we have the services that we need in regional areas,” she said.
Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis said he hoped the availability of land for new homes would ease the pressure on existing housing stock and rental homes to address the alarming problem of homelessness in the electorate.
“We are having multiple people per week come into my office,” he said.
“These are nurses and other workers who through no fault of their own have nowhere to live.”
Minister for Planning Nick Champion said members of state cabinet met with council representatives and heard firsthand accounts of local housing issues during Country Cabinet in February.
Mr Champion said the newly established Housing Infrastructure Planning and Development Unit would support the rollout of infrastructure and amenities for the new development.
“We are fast-tracking land supply across the state to boost much-needed supply and tackle the regional housing crisis,” he said.
The proposed rezoning will build on the $25 million Fisherman Bay freehold project for which council partnered with the private sector to deliver vital infrastructure, including a wastewater collection system, roads, stormwater management and a seawall.
This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 9 May 2023.
