Council adopts Housing Affordability Strategy to activate unused land
Published on 13 September 2024
The Shire of Broome is proactively addressing the local housing crisis by developing a new Housing Affordability Strategy and Concept Master Planning project to activate undeveloped and underdeveloped land across the townsite.
The Broome Housing Affordability Strategy will be funded by a $98,428 Federal Government Housing Support Program (Stream 1) grant for projects that address planning capability.
The strategy, endorsed by Council last month, seeks to work with landowners of undeveloped and underdeveloped land within urban areas, particularly in Old Broome-Chinatown, to realise opportunities for new dwelling construction.
Several large, well-located lots with connections to utilities remain undeveloped for various reasons.
These include a lack of funding for necessary studies and development options under the new Local Planning Scheme No. 7 (LPS7). The Broome Housing Affordability Strategy and Master Planning project will address local housing needs and pathways to the creation of new housing stock, including:
- Update the Shire’s 2009 Local Housing Strategy
- Community Consultation
- Zoning Changes
- Masterplan Strategy Report: Map the most efficient pathways to providing housing.
- Identify Suitable Sites for medium and high-density housing
- Landowner Consultation: Engage with landowners to gauge interest
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Conduct an EOI process to identify potential sites and increase public understanding of opportunities.
The Shire of Broome will develop a Community Engagement Plan to consult with shortlisted landholders, State and Federal Government Departments, businesses, and non-profits involved in housing provision.