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Council proposes new approach to boost affordable housing

In continued efforts to address housing affordability, Bega Valley Shire Council is proposing a new policy to help fund affordable home investment through the rezoning of land for residential development.

Council is proposing a new policy to fund affordable housing in the Bega Valley Shire.

Council is proposing a new policy to fund affordable housing in the Bega Valley Shire.

3 April 2025

In continued efforts to address housing affordability, Bega Valley Shire Council is proposing a new policy to help fund affordable home investment through the rezoning of land for residential development.

The draft policy aims to capture a small portion of increased property value that comes from land rezoning, and direct it toward the provision of affordable housing.

Council’s Director Community, Environment and Planning, Emily Harrison said the approach was designed to support housing supply without discouraging development.

“The independent analysis by Atlas Economics shows that in certain areas of the Bega Valley Shire it’s possible to apply affordable housing contributions without impacting development viability,” Ms Harrison said.

“This means we can increase the number of affordable homes in the Bega Valley without discouraging developers from investing locally.”

If adopted, the policy would only apply to proponent-led planning proposals that aim to change the Bega Local Environmental Plan in a way that increases how much residential development the land can support.

“When land is rezoned for more housing, its value increases significantly,” Ms Harrison said.

“The draft policy would ensure that a small share of that uplift is reinvested into affordable housing, enabling our community to benefit from increased spending that comes from local population growth.”

“Developers would be able to meet their contributions in different ways, by providing dedicated land, completed dwellings or equivalent monetary payments.

“Any contribution would then be managed by Council in partnership with a community housing provider to ensure it goes towards the provision of affordable housing in the shire.

“Our goal is to strike a balance by supporting growth while ensuring our community has access to more affordable housing options.”

The draft policy is now open for public feedback. Residents, landowners, developers and community organisations are encouraged to learn more and share their thoughts on Council’s Have Your Say webpage.

Feedback is invited until Sunday 18 May.

Making an enquiry

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© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

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