Housing Studies

Housing Needs Assessment Fraser Coast Regional Council

The methodology used incorporated innovative modelling developed through a series of housing needs assessments for various Councils, as well as consideration of qualitative information on housing diversity and mix, housing affordability, and housing for people with special needs, particularly older people.

Both the modelling and qualitative assessment were considered very useful by Council in planning its future housing requirements for the Draft Fraser Coast Planning Scheme.

Pine Rivers Shire Housing Needs Assessment

The study enabled housing needs to be considered central to strategic planning, deepening the social understanding of urban planning and its implications for community wellbeing, and further developed some unique and innovative tools that can be used by all Councils.

It was felt that this study provided a model for undertaking a Housing Needs Assessment in Queensland as well as a nationally applicable template for understanding and projecting future housing needs.

Caboolture Shire Housing Needs Assessment Report

The Caboolture Shire Housing Needs Assessment investigated housing needs and outlined a strategy for Council to address these needs. It was integral in assisting Council’s strategic planning team to determine an appropriate preferred settlement pattern for Caboolture Shire within a planning horizon of 20 years (to 2026), as well as strengthening Council’s ongoing role in meeting future housing needs.

The study examined existing conditions and trends in both housing supply and demand locally within Caboolture Shire, and within the sub-regional context. It reviewed:

• The context of housing policy and Council’s role in relation to this
• Population characteristics and change in Caboolture Shire
• Trends impacting on housing supply and housing demand
• Trends impacting on the needs of particular groups and housing affordability and
• Locational and other considerations that help shape local housing needs.

It then drew on these findings to develop housing targets and to develop strategies for consideration by Council in responding to the needs and trends identified.

Sunshine Coast Aged Housing Study

The review found that location, an age-friendly neighbourhood and housing form were all important factors in determining appropriate aged housing models.

Several different housing models appeared appropriate on the Sunshine Coast, including:

• Co-housing or Group Housing for accommodating 6 and more unrelated people
• Higher density (vertical) retirement villages
• The opportunity for an annexed flat, known variously as granny flat or studio
• Adaptable and universal housing forms to enable people to age in place (wherever they are) and to stay in their own home (detached, duplex, resort) or at least their own neighbourhood
• Appropriate provision of manufactured home parks for lifestyle and affordability.

Assessing Housing Developments for Older People or People with Disabilities.

A Manual to Assist in the Assessment of Social Impact.

It included useful checklists and ‘how to’ tips, while incorporating all relevant legislative and policy requirements.

The process of preparing the manual involved working closely with a large reference group comprising representatives of relevant government agencies, the NSW Local Govt and Shires Associations, the NSW Local Govt Community Services Association and various not-for-profit organisations and academics.

Needs Analysis Proposed Retirement Resort Burnside Sundale Garden Village

The proposed development was needed urgently by the proponent, Sundale Garden Village, to provide temporary accommodation for the residents of Sundale’s major Nambour facility whilst that site was being redeveloped to accord with modern standards.

The proposal was believed to be the first known ‘Retirement resort’ to include a Residential Aged Care facility. This was felt to meet the needs of a wider range of older people than at the present time by expanding the choice of modern retirement living options for older people on the Sunshine Coast.

It was all the more exceptional in that it was aimed at people of lower to middle range income levels. This was considered likely to help meet the strong need for affordable aged housing on the Sunshine Coast.

Social Need Assessment Sundale Garden Village Tewantin

The proposal was in conflict with the site’s rural residential zoning, and a number of overlay constraints including environmental protection vegetation and riparian buffer areas, and flood and bushfire hazard affected the site. Support for the application was likely to be contingent on demonstrating that there was overriding planning need for the development.

Council therefore sought professional social planning advice on whether the ratio between aged care beds and independent living units (ILUs) proposed by Sundale was reasonable, to assist in determining whether the application demonstrated sufficient planning need to support the proposal, despite its conflict with the Noosa Plan.

The ratio of ILUs proposed was found to be reasonable under the particular circumstances of the case and the model being applied. The development was seen as a highly desirable addition to meeting the future aged housing needs of Noosa residents.

Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas Integrated Housing Strategy

The role of Briggs & Mortar was particularly to review and integrate the inputs of other consultants to develop a strategy which was acceptable to the State Government and the client.

It identified immediate, short, medium and long term strategies which could be employed by the proponent to offset the accommodation issues being experienced in the Gladstone and Maranoa regions, and to adequately address the housing needs of its workforce in line with the conditions of its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approval.

Integration of Fly-In, Fly-Out Workforces Literature Review