The Borough of Queenscliffe has committed to playing its part in addressing increasing  homelessness and rental stress across the region, through the release of its first draft Social Housing Plan. 

However, it has acknowledged that with limited land options available,  there is little it can do to provide affordable housing within its own municipality. 

Queenscliffe CEO Martin Gill said the borough had been working with other G21 councils for several months to consider ways of boosting social housing options across the greater Geelong region. 

The plan, currently on exhibition, details a number of advocacy options, he said. 

“It’s given me some insight into the region but also our local community,” Mr Gill said. “In a community that is generally well looked after and generally in a pretty stable position, there is still some issues around social housing. 

“If you then extrapolate that to across the region, there are some significant issues around social housing and while our role may not be substantial in this, I think giving our voice to the issue and supporting the other councils as they pursue building opportunities and work on Housing Victoria plans to provide social housing helps with the advocacy, but also helps us recognise that we’re never far away from problems,” Mr Gill said.  

“While we won’t actually build any houses, we’re conscious that we need to do work with the community as to where that housing will potentially go.”

The plan’s release comes amid an unprecedented spike in housing prices in Geelong and along the coast, putting home ownership out of the reach of many and resulting in hefty rent increases. in some areas.

The current median house price in the Borough sits at around $1 million and none of the new properties that have been constructed in recent years would fall into the category of affordable housing, according to the plan. 

It described the high cost of housing in the Queenscliffe as a “critical barrier” to affordability, with median weekly rental costs among the highest in the region.

Council figures show upwards of 70 of the municipality's 1,234 households are living on very modest income and experiencing rental stress. At present, however, there are only 11 social housing properties within the municipality - less than one per cent of all housing - with an unmet demand for up to 47 more. 

In Geelong, an estimated 7,200 households who urgently need social housing with around 6,400 paying more than 30 per cent of their income on rent. 

The State Government's Big Housing Build allocates $5.3 billion for affordable housing, with 25 per cent to be spent in regional Victoria. In addition, Homes Victoria will provide a guarateed spend in the G21 region including: 

City of Greater Geelong - $180 million
Surf Coast Shire - $20 million
Golden Plains Shire - $15 million 

An allocation for the Borough of Queenscliffe has not been specified.
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The draft Social Housing Plan can be viewed on the BoQ website.

Point Lonsdale’s only petrol station will make way for a three-level residential development incorporating 12 apartments and four shops, under a planning application lodged with the Borough of Queenscliffe.

The proposal will dramatically transform the 2465m2 site on the corner of Point Lonsdale and Lawrence roads, currently home to the BP service station, and according to the applicants - Sincock Planning Pty Ltd and David McDonald Builders - would address demand for housing in the town. 

The proposed $3.5 million development, designed by SPL Architects, is for “three distinct building forms,” fronting Point Lonsdale Road, and a basement car park comprising 24 parking spaces.

Five two-bedroom dwellings would sit above the shops. A further seven two-level, three-bedroom townhouses will be located at the rear of the property - each less than 8.5 metres high and will featuring roof-top gardens.

Retail spaces will be 115m2 in size, with pedestrian access from Point Lonsdale Road. 

A carpark at the front of the building will provide an additional 13 spaces for commercial visitors.

The land is currently zoned for mixed use and is subject to a design and development overlay aimed at protecting significant Port Phillip and Swan Bay views, local environment and neighbourhood character.

According to the application, the proposal was “consistent with the zone, overlay and policy framework of the planning scheme,” and would meet a demand for “higher density and diversity housing “in the location.

“[It] is consistent with the strategic outcomes sought by the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme, and the proposal provides for a well-designed mixed-use development that will respect and complement the coastal character of the town whilst providing a medium density development and greater housing choice for residents,” it said.
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“This site is the only mixed-use zone in the municipality and the desire to provide a high-quality form of housing and appropriate density without under developing the land has been achieved. The site was nominated for mixed-use development given its two street abuttals and convenient access to the beach, other shops and services and public bus transport within the township.
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