We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work, and play. Sovereignty was never ceded and this always was, always will be Aboriginal Land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future and their continuing connection to country.

Shoalhaven Greens

Shoalhaven Greens – NSW Greens Branch

Affordable Homes Matter – our Shoalhaven Greens Housing Policy

The housing crisis is breaking people, and governments at all levels are tinkering around the edges instead of making the big changes we need to address housing affordability.

Current planning policies and practices in NSW  prioritise luxury housing for wealthy developers over affordable housing for our communities. We should be building good-quality homes that can be sold and rented affordably. In recognition  that more people are living in single or two-occupancy dwellings, Council needs to  plan for a diversity of housing types (that is medium and high density) in areas close to amenities.

Locals are being locked out of the housing market by high sales prices and scarcity of long term rentals because non-residents seeking holiday homes or high-profit short term rental investments are driving the market..  Nobody  wants to see the Shoalhaven become a place where only the wealthy can afford to live. A vote for the Greens is a vote for bold action on the housing crisis.

Results from the 2021 Census indicated that in the Shoalhaven:

  • more than 4100 households in the Shoalhaven are in housing stress
  • more than 2100 households need affordable or social housing
  • 700 people were recorded as homeless or marginally housed.

Recent information indicates this situation is only getting worse. These facts will guide Shoalhaven Greens Local Government election campaign and advocacy for the needs of the most vulnerable in our community, including the many front-line workers who want to work in but cannot afford to live in, the Shoalhaven. 

On Council, the Greens have:

  • Led the development and implementation of a refreshed Affordable Housing Strategy providing practical action towards improving housing access for all in the Shoalhaven
  • Consistently and continuously campaigned for renewal of the social housing portfolio in the state government, in order to rebuild the old housing stock for example in and around Nowra, that is currently not fit for purpose with costs to run the household contributing to the cost of living crisis. 
  • Identified land – including in Bolong Rd Bomaderry and in St George Basin for  purchase and attention by the NSW Government for affordable homes for renters.
  • Drove the purchase and amalgamation of land at Coomea St Bomaderry that is now being built on by Southern Cross Community Housing for affordable rentals.
  • Maintained pressure on the State Government to release the outcome of the inquiry into short term rental impacts on housing affordability and giving councils more control over zoning for STRA (Short Term Rentals)

On Council, the Greens will:

  • advocate for social and affordable housing components in all new developments, and agitate for more public and social housing from the state and federal governments
  • identify surplus Council or State government unused land that could be leased or donated for social housing builds 
  • push for increases in housing density that will make homes more affordable and meet the needs of our communities, rather than wholesale rezoning to benefit big developers
  • continue to ensure that Council’s Affordable Housing Strategy is regularly monitored and remains contemporary.
  • seek permission from the NSW Government to establish an affordable rental housing contribution scheme that require developers to contribute up to 3% of residential, and 1% of non-residential floor area for affordable housing, either directly through the provision of housing or through a monetary contribution and revise these targets as required.
  • support local investment in affordable housing for key workers, to address the critical shortage of nurses, teachers, hospitality staff and other essential workers
  • argue for a range of residential zonings in Shoalhaven towns, to facilitate a diversity of dwelling stock and living arrangements
  • advocate to the NSW Government to build and provide adequate infrastructure to accompany new housing developments, including, public transport, schools, community spaces and healthcare facilities.
  • ensure environmental protection  when considering zoning and development
  • advocate for measures to decrease homelessness.