A new affordable housing proposal with 40 units – half of them designed as accessible dwellings – is being planned for a site backing onto the Coast’s future rail line.
The complex would include a mix of units with one, two and three bedrooms spread across three buildings of two or three storeys at the corner of Coppice Crescent and Western Drive, Banya.
The application has been submitted to Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) – which is the assessment manager due to the site’s location within the Caloundra South Priority Development Area (PDA) – by affordable housing provider Brisbane Housing Company (BHC).
A report by Adams and Sparkes Town Planning on behalf of BHC says the proposed complex would respond to the need for more diverse housing in the area.
“This proposal directly addresses the need for housing diversity and affordability by delivering a range of cost-effective, high-quality, accessible dwellings which support the social infrastructure goals of the PDA,” it stated.
The report said 50 per cent of the units would be accessible dwellings.
The site is currently part of a larger block, with a 4944sqm lot to be formalised for the complex concurrently to the assessment of the application.
The complex is about 250m east of the Bruce Highway and would back onto the future Sunshine Coast rail line.
The report says a pre-lodgement meeting with EDQ determined that fencing along the future rail corridor would not be required by BHC because it would be provided by Queensland Rail during construction.
Car parking would include 40 resident spaces plus 10 visitor spaces.
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The report says the complex would be a “simple yet attractive development that will deliver cost-effective, high-quality housing”.
“The design strategy provides for a ‘landscaped heart’ which responds to the site’s irregular geometry, maximising open space value and connecting tenants with nature,” it said.
“The central greenspace is welcoming to residents and their visitors, creating a sense of ‘eyes on the street’ within a garden setting. The naturalised landscape design weaves between buildings, softening edges and providing spaces for residents to occupy, dwell, play, interact and enjoy the enviable sub-tropical lifestyle of the region.
“Life between buildings is made possible through the deepening of front door thresholds, making places to store bikes and prams, leave shoes and umbrellas, and furnish with pot plants and seats – all signifiers of life and community.”
The report acknowledges the proposed 40 units would not meet minimum residential density requirements under the PDA’s plan of development, which stipulates the site should have between 42.5 and 57.5 dwellings.
“The addition of more units would result in greater non-compliances with the design standards for the site,” it said.
The report says a reduced setback to Western Drive of 1m, instead of the required 2m, is proposed as a result of the slightly irregular lot shape, coupled with the need to provide adequate breaks between buildings.
BHC’s website says it was incorporated in 2002 and is a registered Tier 1 Community Housing Provider.
“Our core business is housing and asset management of our wholly owned 1700 affordable housing properties,” it said.
