COMMUNITY groups opposing a social housing plan for Capel Sound have been accused of spreading “misleading” information.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council says a community flyer circulating about the affordable housing proposal in Allambi Avenue, Capel Sound contains incorrect information.
Community partnerships manager Chris Munro said it was “great to see the Capel Sound community actively engaging with this proposal” but the community needed to know the proposal’s details.
“We’re aware flyers have gone out containing some misleading information, including that all 22,700 square metres of the site is being considered for community housing,” he said.
“In fact, nearly half the land – 10,000 square metres – is required to be set aside as a future park as part of any housing proposal.”
The shire has proposed affordable housing projects at four sites around the peninsula.
Two community groups have joined forces to oppose the Allambi Avenue development.
The Capel Sound Community Group, which distributed the flyers, and the Facebook-based group Concerning All Residents of Capel Sound, have united to pressure the council to reconsider.
Spokesperson Veronica Madigan said the area was already recognised as disadvantaged and that concentrating disadvantage in one area was “bad policy”.
Munro questioned claims that Capel Sound had the “highest concentration of disadvantaged people on the Mornington Peninsula”.
“Demographic analysis of Capel Sound shows it has a higher proportion of home ownership and private rental than the shire average,” he said.
Capel Sound Community Group says it is “well aware” of the urgent need for affordable housing, but further development in the already densely developed area would lead to traffic congestion and road safety issues.
Munro said the council was still in the early stages of consultation on the proposal and no decision on whether to go ahead had been made.
“If the project does move to the next phase, a detailed design plan supported by expert traffic engineering advice would be prepared,” he said.
“I urge anyone seeking information on this project to visit our website.”
Munro said the lack of affordable housing was a critical challenge for the peninsula.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 24 May 2022
