Lynda Franks is pleased Griffith Council approved her development on Harris Road. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A Myall Park farmer says her recently approved development application to build townhouses on Harris Road will contribute to easing Griffith’s chronic worker housing shortage.
Lynda Franks is part of a family self-managed super fund which purchased land behind Collier & Miller in 2017. She rents out a three-bedroom house on her block and has now been given approval to build 10 townhouses with 17 parking spaces next door.
“I wanted to build townhouses that would provide accommodation for workers who come to Griffith,” Ms Franks said.
“There’s a real shortage in town; workers are spending a fortune to rent houses that aren’t fit for purpose.
“This is a good example of a family self-managed super fund contributing to affordable housing.”
Griffith Council narrowly approved the development recently, voting 5-4 in favour. Supportive councillors noted the desperate need for affordable housing and the fact the development complied with all laws and regulations. Opponents raised concerns about traffic, noise and space in a mixed-use zoning area dominated by industrial businesses.
Agricultural supplier Collier & Miller also objected to the proposal, with general manager Chris Miller saying tenants moving in could complain about “the unavoidable industrial noises” generated by their business.
“I’ve had tenants living there since 2017 and nobody has ever complained about traffic or noise,” Ms Franks said.
“I go to Collier & Miller twice a week as a farmer. Ninety per cent of the time you could fire a gun on that street; Harris Road has very little traffic.”
Concept plans of the development. Photo: C4Architects.
Architect Brent Dowsett said these type of dwellings were much needed in the town.
“We do a lot of work in providing housing for what’s called the ‘missing middle’,” he said.
“This development addresses the needs of essential workers, like the semi-industrial and farm workers. We want to build houses in areas that are walkable to your employment and close to sports clubs and community facilities. That’s what these townhouses will offer.
“We’ll have double glazing of windows to make them energy efficient and for the acoustics.”
Ms Franks said each unit would have its own private front and back yard and there would also be a shared open space and a barbecue area.
“We have 17 off-street car spaces for just 10 units,” she said.
The 50-year-old, who is originally from Adelaide, said she hoped the townhouses would be built by 2027. She thanked Griffith Council for approving the development and for the work staff had done during the process.
Ms Franks anticipates that most units will be rented by workers moving to town and their families.
“I’m also considering approaching a homeless charity in town to lease one of them out,” she said.
Griffith has grappled with a chronic housing shortage since 2017. Less than one per cent of properties are available to lease, only nine of which cost less than $400 per week.
