At Tewantin-Noosa CWA, affordable housing is not just a talkfest.
“Our CWA branch is making a huge effort to raise funds towards affordable housing for vulnerable local women,” president Leigh McCready said.
“We’re aiming to raise $100,000 to purchase for example a tiny house, or to partner with a community housing provider. And we’re more than halfway there.”
After selling the CWA Hall to the RSL some years ago, the CWA branch purchased two small units at Riverlands in Moorindil Street, Tewantin, which are rented out to women on low incomes.
“The remainder from that sale is in our kitty, waiting to be topped up with donations and our fundraising efforts,” Ms McCready said.
“Our fundraising activities this year – street stalls, keynote speaker luncheons and the recent cent sale – have already raised thousands, thanks to the efforts of our members. We’re also seeking donors who would like to help.”
CWA Branch vice president Ingrid Jackson said, “A survey of our members confirmed what the statistics tell us – that a key challenge for women in Noosa is finding affordable housing. In keeping with this focus, we invited Mayor Clare Stewart to speak about Council housing initiatives at our May branch meeting.”
In her presentation Cr Stewart stressed her commitment to council addressing affordable housing urgently.
“All of Australia has a housing crisis and that’s a big issue in Noosa where property prices have soared and rental is hard to find,“ she said.
“Since I successfully moved a mayoral minute about housing in council in December 2020, Noosa Council has approved a council housing strategy called Keep Noosa Home and is making strides towards addressing the issue.”
Mayor Clare listed a range of initiatives – council land at Lake McDonald Drive, Cooroy, council and private land purchased by State Government at Doonella Street, Tewantin, advocacy vis-à-vis State Government about inclusionary zoning for the planning scheme, the Noosa Plan stopping short term letting of whole houses, planning scheme changes to facilitate smaller and build-to-rent dwellings, and higher rates for transitory housing.
“The 2021 census identified 4810 vacant dwellings on census night in Noosa Shire. As part of Council’s Keep Noosa Home campaign, I wrote letters to owners of those properties and those used for short term letting, urging them to shift to permanent rental instead. 64 came through, which had been short term let before,” she said.
“As a result of our advocacy, the State Government recently revised its secondary dwelling policy.
Previously, secondary dwellings (granny flats) could only be used by close family and household members, but now they are allowed to be let to anyone, thereby increasing the number of affordable homes for rent across the shire.”
Mayor Clare also spoke about Council’s draft 2023-24 budget and invited CWA members to comment.
“With today’s inflation, skyrocketing infrastructure construction costs, council’s CPI indexed enterprise bargaining agreement, and the higher state’s land valuations, the council has had robust discussions about how to keep council rates steady. Compromises have had to be made and the result is the draft budget put out for public feedback.”
Ms McCready said, “In the current inflationary context, CWA’s aim to seek ways of facilitating affordable housing is even more vital.”
