Community-led housing project seeks shire approval

A PROPOSAL to build an affordable housing village at Winchelsea has been submitted to the Surf Coast Shire after a lengthy planning process.

Community enterprise Winanglo – which includes representatives from Winchelsea Lions Club Growing Winchelsea, Hesse Rural Health, Winchelsea Community Bank and other community members – have a $3 million plan to build 10 small homes at 42 Harding Street.

The development, to be known as Winchelsea Community Village, would provide low-cost housing targeted at senior and disabled community members.

Winchelsea’s health service would help select occupants under its policies.

The units would be sold for a “fair and affordable” price after development, with profits to go toward future Winanglo community projects.

Proponents stated in their submission that the project would fill an urgent need for affordable housing in the town.

“The purpose of the housing is to provide a local, assisted, independent living option for long-standing residents of the community.

“This may include both young people with disabilities that require a small level of care and it may include the elderly that still desire independent living but may require regular assistance such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy.

“There are no clear independent assisted living options within the township at present.

“Those who are requiring some level of assistance and are seeking this type of housing have to find it outside of the township, and away from the community they have lived in and enjoyed for many years.”

The Surf Coast Shire agreed to donate the land to the non-profit organisation for a $1 fee in July 2021 to allow the project to proceed.

Winanglo representatives have been working with the shire on its plans since at least September 2020.

The Harding Street site, at the corner of Hopkins Street, has previously earmarked as a future ambulance station site, but that facility was built on the main street instead and opened in 2019.

The block has remained empty since 1977 when the Church of England transferred the land to the then-Shire of Winchelsea to use “for community purposes”.