By ANEEKA SIMONIS
NEIGHBOURS surrounding a proposed affordable community housing hub in Pakenham have held at least two large public meetings urging residents to take action against the development, threatening “financial and social” consequences for the estate.
More than 100 neighbours gathered at the first public meeting held on Tuesday 10 May and dozens more voiced their concern at a meeting advertised by the Henty Park Residents Association over the weekend.
Their main concerns about the development – now revised by Cardinia Shire Council to include up to 10 houses at 20 Storey Road, Pakenham – revolve around possible negative impacts disadvantaged tenants will have on the neighbourhood.
The impact on land and property values was a major concern highlighted on Monday 16 May by one resident, Ms McPherson, who confronted councillors who voted unanimously in favour of the proposal at the previous April council meeting.
She told councillors and the gallery she had her property valued upon hearing the news of the proposed social housing development and claimed the valuer estimated she would lose $50,000 off the sale price of her home if the development was to go ahead.
Her fears were echoed by neighbours who gathered in numbers to rally support to fight the development.
A notice issued to residents reads: “This is concerning news which has the potential to negatively impact all residents of Henty Estate.”
“This development has the potential to impact residents both on a financial and social level.
“The socio-economic stereotypes associated with a development of this nature being constructed in the Henty Estate within such a close proximity to our homes will result in the decreased value of our properties.”
A caller to the Gazette also took issue with the lack of community consultation over the development prior to its approval last month.
However, council’s General Manager for Community Well-being Jenny Scicluna confirmed there was no direct consultation between neighbours, but highlighted a notice was advertised in the Wednesday 27 April edition of the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette.
She welcomed those concerned to formally lodge their concerns before the end of the month.
“Any person proposing to make a submission must do so by 5pm 27 May 2016. All submissions will be considered,” she said.
However, an earlier council release revealed council had already got the ball rolling on the development.
A release issued on 9 May said an expression of interest was distributed to potential housing providers in late April, and those interested were urged to submit proposals to be considered for a lease or lease agreement with council.
A separate statement from Ms Scicluna suggests the housing provider will be selected in July.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jodie Owen said council had a social responsibility to do something about the municipality’s housing crisis.
“These houses will put roofs over the heads of Cardinia Shire families in dire need of support including single parent families and victims of domestic violence,” she said.
“Too many people in our community are living in insecure housing, sleeping rough or staring down the barrel of homelessness. We cannot simply stand by and watch this happen.”
She assured the development would be “low-to-medium density” and suit the character of the area.
However, the proposal is still unwelcome to at least some Henty Park residents.
“The more submissions lodged to council opposing this development, the greater chance (we have) of halting this project,” the notice read.
If the development goes ahead, it will be built in 2017-’18 with provisions for on-site parking and a small private yard for each property.
The housing provider would be responsible for constructing, managing and maintaining the facility as well as selecting tenants based on eligibility criteria and in consultation with local service providers.
The provider would also offer support services to the tenants, such as information and referral services and outreach programs.
In the most recent census, 145 people were recorded as ‘sleeping rough’ in Cardinia while a further 235 were identified as living in caravans, improvised homes or tents.
A council spokeswoman told the gallery on Monday two women currently living out of their cars had called council to express their interest in the proposed developent.
It was said one of the women lived in her car with her kids, while the other was forced to live in her car after a marriage breakdown.
