Urunga has moved a step closer to a proposed affordable housing pilot after Bellingen Shire Council resolved to progress the proposed transfer of council-owned land at Ferry Street to Waterfall Way Community Land Trust (WWCLT).
The decision is subject to a 28-day public exhibition of proposed financial assistance and a further council decision.
The proposal would support a Community Land Trust housing model designed to create an affordable home ownership pathway for eligible moderate-to-middle income households.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager Mark Griffioen said staff had developed a proposed transfer framework and probity plan to protect the long-term community interest in the land if the proposal proceeds.
“Council is taking a measured, transparent and carefully structured approach into the proposed transfer framework to protect the long-term public interest,” Griffioen said.
“This is not about handing over public land and hoping for the best — it is about embedding enforceable protections that ensure the land is used for the approved Community Land Trust housing model and retained for affordable housing purposes.”
“Because the proposed model is intended to deliver an affordable housing outcome, it is not structured around the Trust purchasing the land at market value. Council will now publicly exhibit the proposed financial assistance, giving the community an opportunity to review the proposal and provide feedback before Council makes any final decision.”
Under the proposal, WWCLT would own the land while residents would own their homes. Dwellings could be resold at a capped price to help preserve affordability for future buyers.
Community Land Trust models have been used internationally to support long-term housing affordability by separating ownership of land from ownership of the homes built on it.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Steve Allan said the proposal reflected the council’s commitment to priorities identified in Our Plan for the Future.
“Housing continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing our community. Through Our Plan for the Future, Council committed to supporting innovative housing models, including working with Waterfall Way Community Land Trust to explore opportunities for moderate-to-middle income households to access secure home ownership,” Allan said.
“This proposal is about testing whether a carefully structured Community Land Trust model can provide a practical and lasting local response to housing affordability.”
“For decades, housing affordability has continued to deteriorate despite policy changes, market cycles and well-intentioned interventions. Young people, essential workers, older residents and local families are increasingly finding themselves priced out of the communities they call home.”
“The Waterfall Way Community Land Trust offers an alternative worth considering. By separating ownership of the land from ownership of the dwelling, it has the potential to create a pathway to affordable home ownership that remains affordable for future generations, not only the first purchaser.”
“Importantly, Council has not made a final decision to transfer the land. The public exhibition process will allow the community to consider the proposed financial assistance before Council determines whether the proposal should proceed.”
The proposed financial assistance will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days. Community members will be able to review the proposal and make a submission via the Proposed Financial Assistance – Ferry Street, Urunga page on Bellingen Shire Council’s website.
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