Noosa Housing Strategy - 12 Month Update

Frank Wilkie0:00

11Th of December 2023. I'd like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land in which we're gathered, which is the Kabi Kabi people, and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. Have all Councillors in attendance and no apologies. Do we have someone to confirm the Minutes of the General Committee, committee meeting of the last month please? Moved by Councillor Lorentson and seconded by Councillor Stewart. All in favour? That's carried. We have no presentations. No deputations. We have no items referred from committees and we go to reports direct to General Committee and the first up is the Noosa Housing Strategy a 12 month update and we have Kim Rawlings and Rowena Skinner. Welcome. Rowena, could you give us a bit of an overview please? Yes. Don't need to stand.

Thank you. Thursday night. This report serves to update Council on the Housing Strategy so in November 2022, endorsed the Noosa Housing Strategy demonstrating its commitment to reducing inequity, promoting inclusiveness and providing safe affordable housing for residents. Noosa like many Shire other communities has been struggling with the availability and affordability of housing options and this is affecting many parts of our community particularly low to medium income earners but also employment sectors. Trying to attract and retain staff and families that are being divided and leaving in the area that they haven't always known. The problem's been exacerbated by various factors over the last four years, but we need to remember that Noosa Shire is a popular place to live and visit, and it has a limited amount of developable land, so supply of housing cannot will not keep up with demand. While reporting back on the implementation of the Housing Strategy was required following two years, this report provides A progress update and commentary on the implementation of actions. Within the Housing Strategy over the past 12 months.

Brian Stockwell13:21

I do so. The Housing Strategy is probably one of the most significant policy initiatives of this term in Council. Responding to a situation where as Councillor Wilkie has suggested it is nationwide, the housing crisis has been early and has been very hard on this Shire. The update does show the weird where we've endeavoured to make progress, it is disappointing that ten months after we submitted the planning scheme review that largely resolved around implementing the actions within the Housing Strategy that we haven't been able to advertise those scheme amendments to public commentators yet and we're hopeful it will be early in the next term. I put my hand up after Councillor Wegener's question in regard to residents and the Housing Strategy is not just for those who are currently homeless in Noosa or those who are currently in housing stress. The Housing Strategy is about trying to stop the huge drain of our workforce. I think it's probably three times this week I've had someone say to me they're still having difficulty getting staff. Or when no sorry I can't do your job, I can't get staff. It is one of the most significant issues that is underpinning a whole lot of uncertainty within our economy as well and that's why it's really essential that we do continue to prioritise the effort of the Housing Strategy. It's not just really what was important to provide housing for the most vulnerable in terms of public housing, it's also for those downsizers, the single women over 50 who currently won't have options if they wish to do that because of the cost. So it's really important to me that we do keep this policy agenda high on the priority list and that we do continue all those good relationships with the State government, the department of housing and with the. Housing sector like Coast2Bay, who will be the providers of additional dwellings within this Shire.