By Matthew Sims
Plans for a new social housing project in Laverton took one step closer to becoming reality, with Hobsons Bay council providing approval for the Hobsons Bay Affordable Housing Trust to apply for state government funding.
During its meeting on Tuesday, councillors approved a motion to endorse the design guidelines for the project, which would see low to medium rise dwellings built at 7-45 Epsom Street.
Council purchased the former Laverton Primary School site in 2014 with the potential to use it for affordable housing and open space and then later bought an adjoining residential lot at 45 Epsom Street.
Council then delivered the first stage of the project, with e opening of the Curlew Community Park, with the housing proposed to be built at the north and south ends of the park.
Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill said the new housing would provide an affordable option for those with low to medium incomes.
“We all know cost of living pressures are rising and rent increases in Hobsons Bay over the past decade are adding to that stress for many of our residents,” he said.
“Delivering more social and affordable housing will help make Hobsons Bay a safer, healthier and more equitable place to live, work, study, and play, and the Epsom Street development is a key project in helping us deliver on the priorities we set in our Hobsons Bay Council Plan 2021-25.”
Hobsons Bay Wetlands Ward councillor Matt Tyler said the current design guidelines were the result of community consultation held in March.
“Extensive community consultation has helped guide the proposal to what it is today, with revised design guidelines based on community feedback, including changes to building height, improved car parking arrangements, vehicle access and a clearer delineation between the housing and the public park,” he said.
“There will be further opportunities for input from the community in the future.”
Details: participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/epsomstreetaffordablehousing
