There’s no place like a container

A granny flat made of three shipping containers designed recently by architect Gabriel Poole and included in the Australian Architecture Association’s Noosa tour last weekend is one affordable housing option that could be considered in Noosa Council’s new town planning scheme.
The secondary dwelling on land at Lake Weyba was designed by the local architect to “address accommodation problems of increasing numbers of us with varying physical disabilities, from the youngest to the elderly”.
Recently released housing affordability reports by the Housing Industry Association show residential land prices 9.3 per cent higher than a year ago and affordability in the June quarter dropped by 1.2 per cent across regional Australia, as house prices accelerated faster than wages.
Councillor Ingrid Jackson said a housing needs assessment prepared for Noosa Council earlier this year revealed housing property prices and rentals in Noosa Shire to already be beyond the reach of many people.
“Noosa Council’s assessment, prepared as an input to the new town planning scheme, disclosed that many local workers, students, pensioners and people with a disability were struggling with house prices and rental,” she said.
“The Housing Assessment report looked at solutions to this dilemma, including small innovative dwellings, smaller lots, secondary dwellings, more housing diversity and incentives for development applications which include affordable housing.”
“This is an inexpensive but elegant solution for extra accommodation on a property for a family member, friend or other person.”
Cr Jackson said Noosa Council was considering all options in its planning as it sought to bring housing affordability within the reach of shire residents.