About the Project

In recognition of the significant economic and social impacts that a lack of affordable housing was having on Surf Coast communities, Council included ‘improve access to affordable residential accommodation’ as a key strategy of its Council Plan 2021-2025.

The Affordable Accommodation Action Plan 2022 makes a commitment to explore the suitability of Council owned land for the development of social and affordable housing.

2 Fraser Drive, Aireys Inlet was identified as one of three suitable sites in the Shire.

Two phases of community engagement including a community co-design phase has focused on the potential of the site to accommodate additional social and affordable housing dwellings in a way that:

• Complies with the planning provisions and enhances the social, environmental and heritage values of the area
• Contributes to the supply of social and affordable housing for local families and key workers and enhances neighbourhood liveability.

A community co-designed concept for additional social and affordable housing at 2 Fraser Drive Aireys Inlet has been finalised. A Community Advisory Group provided recommendations to Registered Housing Agency, Housing Choices Australia.

The Community Advisory Group provided recommendations on:

• building mass
• interface
• roads and parking
• landscaping.

The finalised concept has incorporated these recommendations to the greatest possible extent. Some recommendations could not be incorporated because of the site layout, planning and financial constraints.

The proposed alternative option was also examined to provide confidence that the agreed option was capable of delivering the intended outcome.

Phase one engagement

Broad engagement and workshop to identify design principles:

1. Courage
   The project should (carefully) explore the opportunities afforded by increasing the density
2. Beauty
   The project should ensure the building/s look beautiful – a place people want to live in and a chance to be ‘showcase’ development
3. Quality
   The project should ensure a high quality and sustainable build – 7star+
4. Function
   The project needs to be fit for purpose and fit in with the town and environment
5. Inclusivity
   The process and build need to be inclusive, integrated and appropriate for the needs of residents.

Expression of Interest

Council ran an EOI process to identify a suitable Housing Provider to work on the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing project with.

At its May 2023 Council Meeting, the Surf Coast Shire endorsed national not-for-profit housing provider,

Housing Choices Australia, to proceed to the Project’s co-design phase.

Co-design Process

A Community Advisory Group of eleven community members met over six sessions to refine the design principles that would guide their input into the co-design workshop and help them make recommendations on the building mass, interfaces, roads and parking, and landscaping.

Summaries of the Community Advisory Group’s discussion and deliberations are included in the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project Phase Two Engagement Report

The tremendous and varied technical and lived experience expertise of Community Advisory Group members enabled a productive and insightful design-in workshop with Housing Choices Australia. The results of which can also be found in the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project Phase Two Engagement Report.