Zoe Moffatt
Macedon Ranges council’s intention to lease a Lancefield site for social housing has divided residents.
Council intends to lease the Lancefield site to Wintringham Housing Limited for 20 years.
It is proposed the five existing units on the land be demolished and 12 social housing units over 3 and 5 Noel Street be built.
Council received eight submissions on the proposal, with submitters able to address councillors on March 15.
A submitter, Lenka Thompson, said she works in implementing social and affordable housing and is in full support of the proposal.
Ms Thompson said she has witnessed first hand the positive difference councils can make to help progress social and affordable housing.
“I certainly realise it is not council’s main duty or …responsibility… so I commend this report to you all.”Ms Thompson said she saw a couple of key issues and wanted council to extend the lease from 20 years to 50 years and have the land secured for affordable housing in the future.
“We’ve been in a housing crisis for long enough to know that it’s not going away anytime soon,” she said.
Residents against the proposal said they were concerned about the lack of infrastructure in Lancefield.
“To think that this limited infrastructure could possibly support those more vulnerable in our community is mind boggling,” one resident said.
“Public transport is limited, almost non-existent. Without a large supermarket for basic needs, I don’t know how these new community members could shop and access the things they need.”
Another submission questioned where the current occupants of the five existing units will live after the demolition of the units.
“Given there is nothing regarding this in the plan, one can only assume that the current occupants are to find new accommodation for themselves before demolition begins.”
According to the proposal in the meeting agenda, the lease will begin on May 1, 2023 and end 20 years after an occupancy permit for the works is issued.
A decision on the lease will be made at a future council meeting.
