Housing plan breeds angst

East Coast residents wary of project

ANOTHER public meeting will be held in Scamander today as opposition to a proposed housing development on the East Coast ramps up.

The gathering is the second this week about a plan by housing provider Centacare Evolve Housing to build eight two-bedroom dwellings at Lot 20, Oberon Place.

Centacare and Break O’Day Council organised a public information session on Tuesday to outline the project, aimed at addressing social housing deficits in the regions.

A petition is circulating against the development.

North East Bioregional Network president Todd Dudley assisted convening tonight’s meeting.

“One of the main [concerns] is the concept of selling off public open space for private development,’’ he said.

“When people bought land there, they expected that would remain as a community asset, not to be sold off.”

Mr Dudley said there was a plan to present a document to the council at its next meeting.

Other concerns have been raised about community safety and potential for nearby residents’ homes to be devalued.

Several council staff and councillors attended Tuesday.

“Council representatives were there to listen and ensure all the facts were presented regarding the development,’’ a spokesman said. “The communities’ views on the development were loud and clear and were heard by Centacare and council.”

Centacare Evolve Housing chief executive Ben Wilson said a development application had not yet been lodged.

“The proposed development will house priority housing applicants who are currently at risk of homelessness in the Break O’ Day municipality,” he said.

Tonight’s meeting is at 6pm at Scamander Sports Complex.