A photomontage of the proposed Coolah Street development included with the development application. Image: Multiquip Pty Ltd.
Griffith City Council has expressed support for the development of a new 58-unit housing complex at 14-16 Coolah Street, despite some community objections.
Transport company Multiquip Pty Ltd has submitted a development application to construct three five-storey buildings which would contain a mix of one-, two- and three-room apartments, as well as ground level parking for 84 cars under the buildings.
The development would see the removal of the existing 13 single-storey flats at the address, as well as the cutting down of 14 mature trees.
A report was submitted to the council outlining some community objections, such as that the property structure would block sun for neighbours, not blend in with the current buildings in the street, increase traffic congestion and that the parking proposed would be insufficient.
Council responded to each objection, saying sun access would be provided at different times of the day, that the development suited the projected future character of the street and that traffic and parking impacts would not be substantial.
“The site contains no heritage items, is not in a heritage conservation area, and is not in close proximity to a heritage item. The site is not identified as flood prone. The site is not identified as bushfire prone nor is impacted by vegetation which will support bushfire behaviour. The site is not burdened by any easements,” the council report also states.
At its ordinary meeting on Tuesday (27 August), council unanimously voted in favour of the application being approved, subject to standard building development conditions being met.
“What a wonderful project,” deputy mayor Anne Napoli said. “It will go a long way in addressing our shortage of accommodation and housing. I take into account the objections but I’m very pleased to see they’ve all been addressed by council and the developers.”
Councillor Dino Zappacosta also expressed his support.
“Multiquip Pty Ltd is the biggest transport company we have in Griffith, they employ hundreds of workers and it’s good to see they are putting money into the community in the form of building units,” he said.
Griffith has been grappling with a rental shortage crisis for the past five years. More than 99 per cent of all for-lease properties in town are currently tenanted. The average rent is $480 per week and there are no rentals currently available for less than $300 per week on the Domain site, making the town unaffordable for low-income earners.
In July, an affordable housing development opened in south Griffith near Walla Avenue, providing accommodation for 40 to 50 residents.
The proposed Coolah Street development is located about 175 metres south of the Griffith CBD and 110 metres west of the Coolah Street intersection with Jondaryan Avenue.
Loading ...
