Construction is set to begin on a 12-unit transitional housing development in Coffs Harbour after the council waived more than $166,000 in water and sewer developer charges.
The Bob Denner Legacy Apartment project at 94 Albany Street will provide crisis and transitional accommodation for Legacy families and female veterans experiencing housing insecurity.
Led by Coffs Coast Legacy, the three-storey development is being funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Veterans Acute Housing Program, along with land and financial contributions from the organisation.
Coffs Harbour councillors unanimously voted at their August 20 meeting to waive water and sewer developer charges associated with the project.
The charges, known as Section 64 contributions, were estimated at more than $166,000.
While the development would have proceeded if the charges were imposed, Coffs Coast Legacy said the scope of the project may have needed to be reduced.
“This is a unique project and it is one the Council – by unanimous vote – is happy to support. The development meets a need in our Local Government Area (LGA) that is not currently met by government or other private sector providers,” Councillor George Cecato, who chaired the meeting as Acting Mayor, said.
“The initiative will see the delivery of low cost transitional housing and emergency accommodation for veterans and their families who are experiencing housing insecurity, domestic violence, or other complex issues.”
The development will include seven one-bedroom, three two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments, with completion expected in late 2027.
Coffs Coast Legacy president Jeremy Nash welcomed the council’s decision.
“Coffs Coast Legacy is so grateful for the unanimous approval from Councillors of our request for fee relief. As a charity, facing rising costs, we acknowledge this support for a very worthy and very needed development. We look forward to continuing work on our project in Albany Street,” Nash said.
The council said developer charges for water and sewer services are calculated under state guidelines and planning requirements, taking into account infrastructure needed to accommodate growth, additional capacity costs and how those costs are shared among new developments.
City chief financial officer Amy Mott said waiving the charges was rare, with the cost to be covered by the Strategic Initiatives Reserve.
The decision is expected to reduce the reserve’s balance to $1.5 million.
“Jointly funded by a Commonwealth grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs and a combined land and monetary contribution from Coffs Coast Legacy, the project is being driven by a registered charity organisation with an established local presence in aged care, community support and low-cost housing,” Mott said.
Deputy Mayor Cecato said the development aligned with the city’s goal of increasing affordable housing supply and reducing barriers to new housing.
The council said the project’s scale meant no immediate infrastructure upgrades would be required.
Councillors also requested a report examining a potential policy to exempt some affordable housing developments from Section 64 charges.
Under the proposed criteria, an alternative funding source would need to be identified to reimburse the water and sewer funds.
Developments would also need to address a housing need not currently being met by government, community housing, non-government or private providers.
Affordable housing providers would be required to demonstrate they had pursued available Australian and NSW government grants, subsidies, funding programs and infrastructure assistance before seeking council support for any remaining funding gap.
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