CAPEL Sound residents who fear their suburb is being used as a dumping ground for community housing are demanding answers from the Mornington Peninsula Shire about the type of housing likely to be built.
The residents have formed an action group and want the shire to spread community housing “evenly” around the shire.
The shire has proposed affordable housing projects at four sites around the peninsula, with one being 11a Allambi Avenue, Capel Sound.
Residents say they have been told “nothing” about the project, despite submissions closing more than two weeks ago.
Spokesperson Jim Fleming said the group wanted to know what type of housing was proposed, how many dwellings were likely to be built, what parkland would be included, and what would be the main access road to the estate.
“Why is it so difficult for shire to answer our question as to why other land they own across the peninsula, with the exception of Mornington, Capel Sound and Hastings, has not been considered,” he said.
Mr Fleming said research proved that spreading affordable housing across areas was more advantageous to the people being housing.
In a letter to the council, Mr Fleming asked whether it had consulted with police to get an insight into the rise in crime statistics “when ghetto-type housing is proposed”.
“As residents and ratepayers, we feel we are entitled to inclusion on any proposals regarding this development,” he said.
“The impact it will have on our lives, access to already stretched services and destruction of bushland habitat is very concerning to us.”
The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh has previously stated that the primary responsibility for paying for social and affordable housing rests with the state government.
“Council will continue to advocate to the government to ensure that a proper investment is made in social and affordable housing across the peninsula,” he said.
“In the meantime, we are acting on our Triple A Housing Plan 2020-2030 and the community vision by proposing to use council land for housing partnership projects to support affordable housing.
“We have identified sites across the peninsula, including in Hastings, Mornington, Rosebud and Capel Sound.
“At this stage of the process we are simply seeking the community’s feedback around their views on affordable housing, the proposed model and important site-specific considerations.
“We have also invited housing providers to submit expressions of interest, as the experts in service provision for these types of projects.
“As we are in the early consultation stage, no council decision has been made yet. After considering the community’s feedback, council will be in a good position to decide whether the project should proceed to the next step.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 5 April 2022
