FEATURE STORY
Placemaking: the way forward Housing affordability and homelessness are growing problems on the Sunshine Coast, but there are innovative solutions available if our leaders dare to think differently, say urban planning experts. WORDS: Gail Forrer.
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e are not alone. The Sunshine Coast in common with much of the western world, is experiencing a housing shortage and affordability crisis. Three years ago, a global survey by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy confirmed this when, out of 200 cities polled around the world, 90 per cent were considered unaffordable when applying the widely used standard of average house prices being more than three times median income. The search for suitable housing styles goes back to the dawn of time, with many answers emanating from cultural customs and values. However, one Sunshine Coast urban planner is calling for disruption in traditional thinking. Architect Phil Smith is appealing to the council to show leadership and start a new style of development model. “The Sunshine Coast Council is a significant landowner,” he says. “Although council is historically not in the business of providing affordable housing, as landowners it’s time they used their resources and partnered up with the not-for-profit sector to develop affordable housing.” Mr Smith says the role he is advocating for the council is usually undertaken by
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state and federal governments. However, if the council did undertake this sort of game-changing initiative, Mr Smith insists it would contribute further to defining the organisation as a visionary leader. To date, the concept hasn’t had favourable results. In the Noosa Shire, the Tewantin TAFE is a monument to 21st century waste. Purpose built in 2004 as a TAFE college, inclusive of a short-term accommodation space for artist residencies, the edgy, environmental architecture saw it gain several prestigious building awards. In 2014, it was closed and remains so. In recent years, the state government negotiated a purchase with Noosa Council, however for various reasons, last year it decided not to proceed with the purchase. Since then, the state government has called for expressions of interest and the result will be announced in the next month. In the meantime, Noosa shire is offering another model of accommodation. This model provides short-term, share accommodation for the numerous hospitality staff employed in prime entertainment areas, yet priced out of the area where employers are seeking their labour. It is hoped this concept will set the standard right across the Sunshine Coast region.
“It’s time [councils] partnered up with the not-for-profit sector to develop affordable housing” Architect Phil Smith
Noosa Council has moved ahead and approved Noosa Bounce, a new 122-bed resort offering up a dedicated section to provide short-term, accommodation from $200 per week in premium shared quarters. Property owner Mark Baldwin says, “Hospitality workers are an integral part of the hospitality and tourism offering and we need to seize this moment to come together and build on our experience and
resilience to ensure the sustainable and inclusive recovery of our important tourism sector. My team at Bounce are accustomed to supporting guests, and with the current absence of international travellers, we will have enough beds.” History shows a change in people’s attitude is eventually reflected in government legislation regarding zoning, but in some cases perhaps not soon enough. Russell Green of RG Strategic, an urban planning company with more than 20 years’ local experience, suggests that industrial zonings could include more than the single ‘caretaker’ residence it currently offers. Mr Smith agrees and gives an example of the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate. “I have been watching it for 10 to 15 years and it’s developed into vibrant creative space,’’ he tells My Weekly Preview. “The history of the estate goes back to the early 1970s and by 1975, there were businesses operating out of what was then an isolated, industrial area well away from the heart of town.” The estate has since evolved into an eclectic mix of businesses and residential uses, moulded by its users. While this evolution has brought vitality to the place, it has also resulted in a number of significant functional issues, not the least myweeklypreview.com.au
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