Jennifer Pittorino
A parcel of land in Epsom Street, Laverton will be redeveloped to include affordable housing.
Hobsons Bay council has sold the land to Housing Choices Australia (HCA), as the trustee of the Hobsons Bay Affordable Housing Trust, for the purposes of developing and operating affordable housing on the site.
The council purchased the land, the former Laverton Primary School site, in 2014, with a view to it becoming a park and potentially social and affordable housing.
In its council meeting on Tuesday, September 12, the council provided an update on the sale of the land.
The council recently undertook community engagement in relation to its intention to sell the subject land to HCA.
Following the community consultation and a council resolution, an expression of interest has been lodged with the state government to fund the project.
The sale was made subject to two conditions, including one being the ability to secure external funding to deliver the project.
The council documents said its reason for selling the land was it was critical to the financial viability of the project.
Councillor Matt Tyler said the council is transferring the land because the trust continues to be accountable to council.
“The affordable housing at Epsom Street has been a long time in the making,” he said.
“It’s a project that council is driven by, which I think is really positive, and it’s a challenge that we know is really significant, not just in Hobsons Bay, but nationally.
“I think one of the unique things about this affordable housing development is that the ultimate intent for the people who live there is for them to have a connection to Hudson’s Bay, Which I think again is a really positive thing.”
Councillor Diana Grima said this was a great initiative and will help keep loved ones and our neighbours in Hobsons Bay.
